Can High Myopia Increase the Risk of Retinal Detachment?
Yes, People with high myopia (usually greater than -6.00 dioptres) have a significantly higher risk of developing retinal tears and retinal detachment compared with people who have normal vision.
This happens because the eyeball becomes longer, stretching the retina and making it thinner and more vulnerable to tears.
However, hypermetropia (long-sightedness) generally does not increase the risk of retinal detachment.
If you have high myopia, regular retinal examinations can help detect retinal changes before vision is permanently affected
Difference Between Myopia and Hypermetropia
Feature | Myopia (Short-sightedness) | Hypermetropia (Long-sightedness) |
What happens | Difficulty in seeing Distant objects | Difficulty in seeing Near objects |
Eye shape | Eyeball too long, or cornea too curved | Eyeball too short, or cornea too flat |
Where light focuses | In front of the retina | Behind the retina |
Dioptre sign | Negative (−) | Positive (+) |
Usual onset | School years often progress through the teens | Frequently present from birth, it may reduce as the eye grows |
Correction | Concave (minus) lenses, contacts, LASIK | Convex (plus) lenses, contacts, refractive surgery |
What Are the Clinical Facts About Myopia and Hypermetropia?
- High myopia. Short-sightedness beyond -6.00 dioptres. This is the threshold doctors use to flag retinal risk.
- Axial length. A normal eye measures 23 to 24mm front to back. High myopic eyes can stretch past 26mm.
- India’s numbers. Myopia among urban schoolchildren rose from 4.44% in 1999 to 21.15% in 2019.
- Presbyopia. A separate, age-related condition that shows up after 40. It needs its own presbyopia correction, like reading glasses or multifocal lenses, and carries no retinal detachment link.
- Hypermetropia in children. Often present at birth. Many children outgrow it as the eye grows.
What Are the Risks for People Having Myopia and Hypermetropia?
High myopia
- Retinal detachment
- Myopic macular degeneration
- Earlier cataracts
- Higher chance of glaucoma.
Hypermetropia
- Eye strain and headaches from constant focusing effort
- In children, a higher chance of a squint (accommodative esotropia).
- Hypermetropic eyes carry a smaller structural risk, causing the drainage angle to be crowded, raising the chance of angle-closure glaucoma in some adults,
Does High Myopia Increase the Risk of Retinal Detachment?
A UK Biobank study tracking thousands of patients found that every additional 6 dioptres of myopia raised retinal detachment risk 7.2 times (Han et al., 2020).
- People with high myopia are nearly 10-20 times more likely to experience a retinal detachment than people with normal vision. Beyond -10, that lifetime risk can rise to roughly 1 in 20.
- The eyeball elongates it creates a risk of developing small, weak areas/patches called “lattices”.
Why Doesn’t Hypermetropia Usually Cause Retinal Detachment?
Hypermetropic eyes carry a smaller structural risk as the retina is not stretched. However, it has a higher chance of developing angle-closure glaucoma risk instead
Who Should Get Regular Retina Screening?
- People with 6 dioptres or more of myopia
- Family history of retinal tear or detachment
- Any previous Retinal tear
- Eye trauma/injury
- Systemic illness like diabetes
Common Symptoms to Monitor in People with Myopia and Hypermetropia
- A sudden shower of new floaters.
- Flashes of light at the edge of vision.
- A shadow or curtain that starts in one corner of the vision.
- Straight lines that suddenly appear wavy or distorted.
Can Retinal Detachment Be Prevented?
Not always. But early retinal examination dramatically reduces the chance of permanent vision loss.
How the Best Retina Hospital in Delhi Can Help You with Diagnosis for Early Detection
At AK Institute of Ophthalmology (AKIO), patients with high myopia undergo comprehensive retinal evaluation using advanced imaging and surgical technology.
- High-resolution OCT scans and widefield imaging
Pick up retinal thinning and lattice changes.
- Laser Therapy
Small tears are treated with laser retinopexy, a same-day outpatient procedure.
- Best Retina Surgeon Providing Best Retinal Detachment Surgery
Our surgical team performs vitrectomy and scleral buckling, with Dr Aman Kumar, the best retina specialist in Delhi and an AIIMS alumnus, leading complex cases alongside Pioneer Dr Atul Kumar, Padma Shri awardee and former Chief of the Dr RP Centre at AIIMS.
Best Ophthalmologist in Delhi, Dr Aman Kumar’s Advice for Patients with High Myopia
- If your myopia is beyond -6.00 dioptres, even with zero symptoms, book a dilated retina check once a year.
- Treat any new flashes or floaters as a same-day concern.
- Wear protective eyewear to avoid any injury while playing sports.
- Skip unsupervised weightlifting or high-impact activity soon after any retinal laser or surgical procedure.
- Get children with a family history of high myopia examined early.
Dr Aman Kumar notes that retinal risk in high myopia tends to build quietly, long before any symptoms show up.
Also Read: The Impact of Myopia on Children: Early Intervention and Prevention
Conclusion
- High myopia increases retinal detachment risk.
- Hypermetropia usually does not.
- Sudden floaters or flashes need emergency evaluation.
- Annual retina examination is recommended for high myopes.
- Early diagnosis prevents permanent vision loss.
FAQs
Does every person with high myopia develop retinal detachment?
No. Most people never develop retinal detachment, but the risk is significantly higher than in people without high myopia.
Is -5 eyesight considered high myopia?
High myopia is generally defined as -6.00 dioptres or greater, although retinal evaluation may be advised earlier depending on individual risk factors.
Can LASIK reduce retinal detachment risk?
No. For patients with high myopia who have had LASIK, the retinal risk increases post-LASIK
Can retinal detachment happen suddenly?
Yes, Many patients notice sudden flashes, floaters or a curtain-like shadow with little warning.
What should I do if I suddenly notice floaters?
Arrange an urgent retinal examination within 24 hours, particularly if floaters are accompanied by flashes or loss of vision at AKIO. Call: 011-46708000 or visit: www.theakio.com
Is retinal detachment hereditary?
Family history increases the likelihood of retinal detachment, especially when combined with high myopia.
What is the common symptom of retinal detachment?
A sudden shower of floaters or flashes of light, often followed by a shadow spreading across part of the vision.
Can children with high myopia develop retinal disease?
Although uncommon, children with severe myopia should undergo regular eye examinations because retinal changes can begin early.
Should every high myope have annual retinal examinations?
Yes. Patients with high myopia are generally advised to undergo yearly dilated retinal examinations even if they have no symptoms.
