High myopia is defined as having a refractive error of -5.00D (diopters) or more.[^12] A refractive error is determined by measurements performed by an eye doctor. A person with high myopia would experience more blurring of distance vision than a person with lower levels of myopia.

Myopia—causes, symptoms, treatments

Q: How do astigmatism and myopia differ?

Myopia is typically caused by the eye growing longer than it's supposed to, resulting in blurry distant vision and an increased risk in eye health issues later in life. That’s because the extra length of the eye puts strain on the structure of the eye, leading up complications including blindness later in life. Astigmatism comes from imperfections in the curvature of either the front surface of the eye (cornea) or the crystalline lens inside the eye. Simply put, your eye's surface is supposed to be round like a basketball but with astigmatism, it is oval like an American football. Astigmatism comes with blurry or distorted vision both close up and afar. While they are two different conditions, it is possible for a patient to have both myopia and astigmatism.

Q: Can myopia lead to blindness?

Although we used to think of myopia as just nearsightedness, we now know that it's much more. Myopia is a chronic, progressive disease in which the eye grows longer than it's supposed to. Over time, this can put strain on the delicate structures of the eye, leading to other vision complications later in life. Some of these complications include myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment, and even blindness.

Q: What should I expect for a myopia eye exam?

A myopia exam is just like any other eye exam. Your eye doctor will look at your vision, overall eye health, and ask about lifestyle. They'll also test eye muscle function, evaluate the health of the eyes and surrounding structures, and check for any signs of eye diseases or conditions. The exam may involve a number of tests and procedures, including a visual acuity test, a dilated eye exam, tonometry to measure eye pressure, a slit-lamp exam to check the health of the front of the eye, and other equipment to check the health of the back of the eye. Based on the results of the exam, the doctor may recommend treatment options.

Q: Can exercises/vision therapy cure myopia?

While there is no evidence to suggest that eye exercises can cure myopia, there are activities that may help slow the progression of myopia. An example of this is following the 20-20-20 rule when doing near work activities like reading, writing, painting, or spending time on a digital device. For every 20 minutes of near work, look at a target 20 feet away for 20 seconds before returning to your near work activity. Talk to your doctor about activities that may contribute to your overall eye health.

Q: Can LASIK cure or treat my myopia?

LASIK may safely correct refractive error in adults and potentially eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses,[^13] however it does not cure myopia. Myopia candidates who undergo LASIK may still be at risk of sight-threatening complications later in life due to the lengthening of the eye that occurred before LASIK. LASIK does not prevent myopia progression, and usually LASIK can only be performed after a myopia candidate has slowed or stopped progression in their prescription. LASIK candidates need to be assessed by an eye care practitioner and the eye prescription and ocular health needs to fit certain parameters for this procedure to correct vision successfully. LASIK is not federally approved for use in children/anybody under the age of 18, and some higher prescriptions may not be candidates for LASIK.[^14] For more information on LASIK, please see https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/lasik

Published on October 30, 2024

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6 minute read time

What is Myopia?

Myopia: More than just nearsightedness

Myopia is a growing problem

Causes

Who's at risk for myopia?

Screen Time and Myopia

Symptoms

How to tell if you have myopia

Three main symptoms

The benefit of catching myopia early

Treatments

What to do about myopia: Correct it, or manage it?

For children, a myopia management plan

For adults, correct vision and get checked often

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

How do astigmatism and myopia differ?

What is high myopia?

Myopia—causes, symptoms, treatments

Myopia: More than just nearsightedness

Myopia is a growing problem

Who's at risk for myopia?

How to tell if you have myopia

Three main symptoms

The benefit of catching myopia early

What to do about myopia: Correct it, or manage it?

For children, a myopia management plan

For adults, correct vision and get checked often

Try ACUVUE for free*

Frequently asked questions

Related content

Myopia vs. astigmatism: What's the difference?

Myopia vs. hyperopia: What's the difference?

Screen time: Its effect on vision and myopia

Understanding high myopia and its causes

Footnotes