Complications Associated with Myopia

There are four ocular complications which are the direct consequences of myopia, usually present in high myopias only. They are:

(a) Cataract (lens sclerosis) (-15%).

(b) Lazy eye or squint correction with myopia of birth (amblyopia) (-10%).

(c) Detachment of retina (-12%).

(d) Vitreous hemorrhaged and floaters.

The incidence of these complications is not more than 20 per cent. Hence, the apprehensions of a mope person are based on flimsy grounds. About 80 per cent myopic carry on with their routine like anyone else.

Detachment of Retina and Vitreous Hemorrhage

These maladies find a solution with surgery under a very careful and planned regime in a retinal clinic. It is of utmost importance that surgery for retinal detachment in a high myopic be undertaken by a specialist of vitreous and retina. The modem treatments for retinal and vitreous problems are cryosurgery and laser therapy (photocoagulation) (see also the chapter on ‘Diseases of Retina and Vitreous’). Procedures on retina and vitreous are a super specialty under a surgeon trained for these only.

Squint and Lazy Eyes

Lazy eyes since birth and myopia with a squint need to be examined and treated in a special ‘orthoptic clinic’. Here the lazy eye is carefully assessed and attempts are made to restore vision by- exercises and visual stimulation (see also the chapter on ‘Squint or Cross-eye’).

Correction of Myopia by Laser/Lasik

The accepted therapy for myopia is by laser which is discussed in the next chapter. Besides myopia it can treat other refractive errors, e.g. astigmatism and hypermetropia.