HIGH MYOPIA
High myopia (short-sightedness) is associated with an increased risk of eye disease like cataracts, glaucoma, maculopathy and retinal thinning, tears or detachment and vitreous floaters.
This is usually due to abnormal stretching of the eye ball (higher axial length).
Unfortunately once the eye has stretched beyond a certain limit, these risks are permanent. Even if the prescription is corrected with laser vision correction and no spectacles or contact lenses are used.
Regular monitoring of your eyes to keep track of these changes is the safest way to ensure your eyes remain healthy and any issues are identified early so that treatment is initiated promptly.
VITREOUS FLOATERS
"Flies", "Cobwebs" or "Clear strands" in your vision?
Floaters in the vitreous jelly of the eye are common in most individuals. These are usually the result of collagen fibers clumping together, stray blood cells or waste products not being cleared away properly.
Due to the eye being larger, people with short-sightedness (myopia) are almost 3 times more likely to experience eye floaters as their eye has more vitreous jelly. They are also more likely to experience a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) which means the jelly and collagen floats around within the eye.
A sudden increase in floaters especially if accompanied by flashes, a veil or curtain in the periphery vision or reduction in vision is an emergency and should be checked as soon as possible as this can be due to a leaky blood vessel in the eyes (common in Diabetes or high blood pressure) or due to a hole/tear in the retina which requires laser treatment.