Degenerative myopia is estimated to affect 3% of the world’s population.
Myopia, also called nearsightedness, is a condition in which images focus in front of the eye, causing a blurred image on the retina. Nearsightedness worsens when the picture moves further away from the retina, resulting in blurry vision in the distance.
There is a high risk of vision loss in the more severe forms of myopia, such as degenerative myopia.
What causes myopia?
Light rays focus on the front of the retina in myopia. As a result, close items are clearly seen, while distant objects are blurry. However, near vision might worsen to the point that reading close to the face becomes challenging.
A myopic eye might develop in one of three ways:
- The cornea (the front surface of the eye) is excessively curved and therefore too powerful
- The eyeball is too long
- A combination of both
When the growing phase is complete, myopia usually stabilizes, and glasses can restore normal vision. Increased levels of myopia, on the other hand, are often genetic, meaning that if one of the parents is moderately or severely nearsighted, the chances of one of the children being myopic are higher.
Juvenile onset myopia is a type of myopia that starts in childhood and almost always worsens as you get older.
The severe forms of myopia, such as degenerative myopia, increase the risk of vision loss and blindness.
The retina is stressed by the deformation of the eye, and it can become injured or detached, leading to significant deterioration of visual acuity.
What is degenerative myopia?
Degenerative myopia, also known as ‘pathological myopia’ or ‘progressive myopia’, is the type of nearsightedness that creates major vision loss.
This condition can cause significant visual loss and poor eyesight. Degenerative myopia can strike anyone at any age, although it’s most frequent in adults in their 30s and 40s.
The disorder is caused by myopia-related alterations in the shape of the eyes. Myopia is characterized by enlarged eyeballs, which cause the ocular tissues to be stretched thinner than normal. This can put you at a higher risk of macular degeneration and other retinal issues.
Signs and symptoms of degenerative myopia
Common signs and symptoms of degenerative myopia include:
- Loss of central vision
- Difficulty recognizing faces
- Changes in color perception
- A gray spot in the visual field
- Poor contrast sensitivity
- Problems while reading
- Straight lines appear distorted
If you’ve experienced blurry vision, or any of the symptoms mentioned above, contact an eye doctor near you.
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Who Is at Risk for Degenerative Myopia?
Degenerative myopia can develop in anyone with high myopia, but certain groups are at higher risk:
- People with a family history of severe myopia
- Those who developed juvenile onset myopia that progressed rapidly
- Adults in their 30s and 40s, when complications tend to appear
- People of East Asian descent, where rates of high myopia are significantly higher
- Individuals with uncontrolled eye growth in childhood or adolescence
Understanding your risk factors can help ensure you schedule regular comprehensive eye exams for early detection.
Symptoms and Complications of Degenerative Myopia
The symptoms of degenerative myopia often go beyond blurry distance vision. Patients may experience:
- Loss of central vision (difficulty reading or recognizing faces)
- Distorted vision (straight lines appear wavy)
- Changes in color perception
- Poor contrast sensitivity, making low-light vision difficult
- Floaters or flashes of light, possible signs of retinal detachment
- A gray or dark spot in the central vision field
Complications include:
- Retinal detachment — due to thinning and stretching of the retina
- Macular degeneration — loss of central vision
- Glaucoma — increased risk due to elongated eye structure
- Cataracts — early onset compared to non-myopic individuals
Because many of these complications can lead to irreversible blindness, early detection is critical.
Prevention and Self-Care Tips
While degenerative myopia cannot be fully prevented, certain lifestyle changes and eye care habits may help reduce progression or protect eye health:
- Schedule annual comprehensive eye exams (more frequent if already diagnosed)
- Use prescription glasses or contacts consistently to reduce eye strain
- Take regular breaks from screens (20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds)
- Spend more time outdoors — studies show natural light may help slow myopia progression in children
- Protect eyes from UV exposure with sunglasses
- Maintain healthy blood sugar and blood pressure levels, which can protect eye blood vessels
- Avoid smoking, which increases risk of macular degeneration
Treatment for degenerative myopia
Many times the vision loss from degenerative myopia is permanent.
To help improve vision quality and restore a patient’s eyesight, there are different treatment options your eye doctor will consider:
- Prescription glasses – Thick-lens glasses can help in the restoration of a person’s vision.
- Contact lenses – Some people may be able to wear prescription contacts instead of glasses to improve their eyesight.
- Intraocular lenses (IOLs) – IOLs are artificial lenses that can be used to replace the eyes’ natural lenses. Some patients with degenerative myopia have found this to be beneficial.
- Anti-VEGF therapy – Anti-VEGF therapy involves taking medications that stop new blood vessels from forming in the retina, which can cause macular degeneration.
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) – PDT is used to treat abnormal blood vessels in the retina that may be causing visual loss.
- Vitrectomy – Vitrectomy is a procedure that removes some or all of the vitreous gel from inside the eye to aid in the repair of retinal tears or detachments.
LEARN MORE: Guide to Eye Conditions
Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you to discuss which degenerative myopia treatment is best for you.
Myopia (short-sighted) can result in major visual loss and poor eyesight.
Degenerative myopia can strike anyone at any age, although it’s most frequent in adults in their 30s and 40s and is best treated with early diagnosis.
FAQs About Degenerative Myopia
Can degenerative myopia be fixed?
No, degenerative myopia cannot be “cured,” but treatments like glasses, contact lenses, intraocular lenses (IOLs), and therapies can help manage symptoms and slow progression.
Is myopic degeneration rare?
It is less common than regular myopia, but still affects millions worldwide, particularly in East Asia. It is estimated that about 3% of the global population has degenerative myopia.
Is degenerative myopia a disability?
In advanced cases, vision loss from degenerative myopia may qualify as a visual disability if it severely limits daily functioning.
What does degenerative myopia increase the risk of?
It increases the risk of retinal detachment, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts—all of which can cause permanent vision loss if untreated.
How fast does degenerative myopia progress?
Progression varies but often worsens more quickly in childhood and adolescence, then stabilizes somewhat in adulthood. However, complications can develop at any age.
How do you slow down myopia degeneration?
You cannot stop it completely, but regular eye care, proper corrective lenses, outdoor activity, and treatments like anti-VEGF therapy or photodynamic therapy can help manage progression.
Should I wear myopia glasses while using my phone?
Yes. Wearing your prescription lenses consistently reduces eye strain and ensures your eyes aren’t working harder than they should, which may help slow progression.
What is the difference between myopia and degenerative myopia?
Regular myopia (nearsightedness) can usually be corrected fully with glasses or contacts and does not necessarily threaten long-term vision. Degenerative myopia is a severe, progressive form that causes structural changes in the eye and can lead to blindness.
Can LASIK fix degenerative myopia?
LASIK may correct refractive errors temporarily, but it does not treat the underlying eye elongation or prevent complications like retinal detachment or macular degeneration. Therefore, it is usually not recommended for degenerative myopia patients.
