How can I tell if I have it or not? I'm 13 and my vision has been getting worse every year for just about the past 7 years. I believe there was one year when my vision actually got better, but I dunno. Last I checked, my vision was -9 and -7 in my right and left eye, and I know it's gotten worse this year. Do I have degenerative myopia?
2007-11-01 16:31:03 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Optical
Sorry, I misunderstood. Thanks to everyone who answered. I was under the impression progressive myopia never gets better, lol. Thanks again. :)
2007-11-02 10:47:03 · update #1
What you are describing is referred to as "progressive" myopia. Progressive myopia is a genetically inherited condition. The classical presentation of progressive myopia tends to follow this time line -- Most first notice a shift into myopia causing a blurring of distance around second to third grade (7 to 8 years of age). The individual then consistantly and continually increases in nearsightedness until about the age 17 to 19 at which time most then become somewhat stable in their degree of nearsightedness for many years until other vision issues such as cataract may cause changes. Since I am also a progressive myope, you and I have a common ancestor somewhere. I received my first set of eyeglasses from my uncle who was an eye doctor. I became stable at age 18. I have had laser vision correction and have remained stable for years following my laser vision correction. Hope this helped.
2007-11-01 16:58:38 · answer #1 · answered by yagman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had this happen to me, too. For years, I got progressively worse until I got into my 20s and then my condition stabilized for the most part. My prescription has changed from time to time but not nearly as much as it did when I was in my teens. Now for the future. I'm in my late 40s and I have found myself to be in a really weird situation. I wear both glasses and contact lenses. I have to use reading glasses when I'm wearing my contacts because I can't read small print with them. Now, if I'm wearing my glasses, all I have to do is pull them off to read. I can still see quite well close up without glasses or contacts. Most people my age really can't unless they're wearing reading glasses or bifocals. Apparently, this is one of the few advantages of being nearsighted for older people. This is why I have not had my vision corrected through laser surgery and I don't intend to. I would still have to wear glasses, no matter what I decided to do. Maybe I would consider it if I were about 20 to 25 years younger but not now.
2007-11-01 18:20:19 · answer #2 · answered by RoVale 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have "high myopia".
It would be uncommon for it to be "degenerative myopia" at this age.
You may stabilize soon. Do not despair.
Refractive surgery can still be done on these high numbers when you get older.
2007-11-01 16:34:50 · answer #3 · answered by ignoramus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1
2016-06-19 09:52:51 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had it myself at your age. it does eventually stabilize. THEN you can have it operated on to correct. do NOT do so until you are done growing. Or you WILL have to have it done twice. *ugh*
Peace.
2007-11-01 16:40:00 · answer #5 · answered by Quietman40 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋