Myopia can lead to many eye complications, most of which are blinding. The higher the degree of myopia, the greater the likelihood of developing complications. These complications include:
1. Retinal detachment
This is the most common complication associated with myopia. Due to the elongation of the eye axis and poor nutrition within the eye, the peripheral retina often undergoes cystic degeneration and lattice degeneration. The degenerated area of the retina becomes very thin and prone to perforation. Some areas have already perforated, forming dry tears. In addition, vitreous liquefaction increases the activity of the vitreous body, pulling on the retina and causing it to detach. Among cases of retinal detachment, 70% occur in people with myopia.
2. Cataracts
The abnormal nutrient metabolism in the eyes of people with myopia changes the permeability of the lens capsule, leading to nutritional disorders and metabolic abnormalities in the lens, which gradually become opaque. This results in a gradual decline in vision and secondary cataracts. These cataracts develop slowly, mainly characterized by core opacity and posterior capsular opacity.
3. Macular hemorrhage and macular degeneration
Poor blood supply in the eyes of people with myopia leads to retinal ischemia. The retina produces a growth factor that promotes the growth of new blood vessels beneath the retina. These newly formed blood vessels have extremely thin walls and easily rupture, causing bleeding. After the bleeding is absorbed, the new blood vessels may rupture again, leading to repeated bleeding. Multiple bleedings form scars locally, resulting in macular degeneration, which permanently damages vision.
4. Vitreous liquefaction and degeneration
The vitreous body is originally colorless and transparent gel. When the eyeball enlarges due to myopia, the vitreous does not increase accordingly, so it cannot fill the entire space within the eye, leading to liquefaction. This increases its activity, causes turbidity, and results in black shadows in front of the eyes, potentially triggering retinal detachment.
5. Glaucoma
In people with myopia, the trabecular structure at the angle of the anterior chamber is abnormal, so the outflow resistance of aqueous humor within the eye is greater, making it easier for intraocular pressure to rise. According to statistics, 30% of people with high myopia have glaucoma, which can cause gradual vision loss.
6. Strabismus and amblyopia
Myopia can lead to exotropia or latent exotropia. If there is a difference of more than 300 degrees in myopia between the two eyes, it is easy to cause exotropia and amblyopia in the eye with higher myopia.
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