Can myopia lead to other eye problems?

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    Last Updated: April 23, 2025

    As myopia worsens, particularly in cases of high myopia (worse than −5.0 or −6.0 diopters), the risk of complications such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration increases. People with high myopia should prioritize regular eye exams and take breaks from near work to help reduce the risk and severity of these complications.

    In general, as myopia worsens, the risk of other eye complications increases. This is especially true among people with high myopia, which is defined as a spherical equivalent worse than −5.0 or −6.0 diopters[1][2].

    Potential complications of high myopia include:

    People with high myopia should be proactive with their eye health by having regular eye exams and taking breaks from near-work activities to reduce eye strain. Being proactive in this way can help mitigate the risk of complications or reduce the severity of complications if they do occur.