Is There a Correlation Between Myopia and Glaucoma?
- drgunjandeshpande
- Jan 25, 2024
- 2 min read
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a refractive error that affects a significant portion of the global population. However, not all cases of myopia are created equal.
Some individuals experience what is known as high myopia, a condition characterized by a more severe form of nearsightedness. Research suggests a potential link between high myopia and glaucoma, a serious eye disease that can lead to vision loss if left untreated.
In this blog, we will know the intricacies of high myopia, explore its implications, and examine the possible connection to glaucoma.
Why is relation between Myopia and Glaucoma Important?
As the incidence of myopia is increasing dramatically in the developed world, due to increased near work, the number of cases of glaucoma associated with this, will increase too.
Studies have shown that individuals with high levels of myopia (severe nearsightedness) may have an increased risk of developing glaucoma.
This is thought to be due to the elongated shape of the eye in individuals with myopia, which may cause increased pressure within the eye and increase the risk of optic nerve damage.
Eyes that are myopic tend to be larger than average in size. This makes the optic nerve at the back of the eye more vulnerable to changes in the intraocular pressure
However, it is important to note that not all individuals with myopia will develop glaucoma, and not all individuals with glaucoma have myopia. However sometimes it can be extremely difficult to determine glaucomatous change from other changes in the eye associated with myopia, even with modern ancillary testing.
These patients also sometimes give a history of undergoing LASIK. Because that procedure thins the cornea, intraocular pressure measurements may be artifactually low. Also higher levels of myopia are also known to exponentially increase the risk of ocular complications such as retinal detachment, retinoschisis, open-angle glaucoma, and cataract, which may lead to permanent vision loss later in life.
What can you do?
If you have myopia and are concerned about your risk of developing glaucoma, it is important to discuss this with your doctor. They can evaluate your risk and suggest appropriate screenings and monitoring to help detect any potential issues early on. This can help to manage your condition and prevent further vision loss.
Attempts to understand the development and progression of myopia with the hope to develop effective interventions are very important. Also is checking people with myopia to diagnose glaucoma early if it occurs.
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