Hi everyone,
I am curious to know how many of you, who are high myopes developped macular degeneration later in life? I am 33 and have high myopia (-11D) and according to the doctors that I've been to, a "normal" retina for someone with these diopters...i know it is pointless to worry for something that may never happen but it's really hard not to wonder how things will develop and how this high myopia will affect my 40s, 50s, 60s and so on...
I think you need to differentiate between Myopic Macular Degeneration (MMD) which is a result of high myopia, and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). I believe that MMD is not very common, whereas AMD in its various forms is much more common. The Macular Society can talk you through the figures I expect.
My experience is of developing MMD in one eye at the age of 58, in 2007. The other eye is developing signs of dry AMD but this is not to do with my myopia. I have had retinal scans which suggest that the "good" eye is unlikely to develop MMD.
So my advice would be to monitor your eyes regularly using an Amsler chart - once a week perhaps - and report any changes immediately. And get on with life beyond that
Dear Smurfy1986,
Please contact us at the Macular Society Advice and Information for discussion.
We are open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111.
Kind regards
I am very short sighted -19 at 35 I had a bleed in my eye due to this and have been told I have myopic degeneration .
My mother is the same but again very high at -22 and is now practically blind due to degeneration . But we have pathological myopia ( eye keeps growing )
I think your be ok at -11 .
My brother and I have myopic degeneration. His has regulated in disability and legal blindness in his fifties. Mine is milder and I am still working and driving. Live a healthy lifestyle and don’t live in fear. Treatment is progressing.
Hi, I am 56 I have -15 prescription in both eyes and was diagnosed with wet AMD in my right eye 2 months ago today. I have had 2 injections of Eylea so far and another next week. Glaucoma is common in my family and as such I expected to get that. Both my brother and sister who are older than me have it, both have better eyesight than I do. Mine are by far the worst. No sign of AMD in my left eye but I am at risk of developing it so will look after it carefully and have regular checks.
Hi smurfy1986.
I'm 54 and was diagnosed with CNV which is a leakage caused by being highly myopic. Causes similar problems to AMD and same treatment is prescribed though you usually require less injections to stabilise it. My prescription is -12 in one eye and -11 in the other.
I had no problems other than being myopic until my late 40s when I had posterior vitreous detachment in both eyes then the CNV in one eye a couple of years ago. It does appear if you are myopic you are at a higher chance of suffering from several different eye problems but they dont affect everyone so try not to worry. Enjoy the present.
Best wishes to you.
Do you have flashes by any chance? I’m been dealing with this problem for years. Did you ever get a PVD yet or saw an ophthalmologist?
No, i never experienced flashes and i don't have pvd either. I do see floaters however. I go to regular eye checks and one eye doctor told me that my retina looks "like the back of an old, teared coat". I'm trying to be positive though, exercise, eat healthy and spend time outdoors. I was told that flashes are the sign of retinal detachment and if i ever see them i should go asap to check my eyes
I got my eyes checked so far no tears, pvd, or detachments. the more i’m stressed I see the flashes more or notice them. they come and go. I got my eyes checked three times since May. they have told me the same thing that my eyes are fine. they said that the flashes should subside?
There is also something called retinal migraine - looks a bit like flashes but the causes are different. Anyhow, i think you should not stress and trust your doctor/optician. Of course you can always ask for a 2nd optinion and check with a retina specialist if that will give you comfort. But maybe just resting your eyes and staying away from screens will fix the problem?
did your prescription ever stabilized even for a while? mine changes a little bit but not significant. i’m scared of what might happens when i get older since i’m 25 and at -8/-9.
I'm not sure what to say: i had -9 when i was 25 and now, at 34 i am -11 (even -12 according to latest measurement). On the other hand, i am a computer programmer so i spend at least 10hours a day in front of a computer so maybe this affected my vision. Also, i have perfect vision with -8.5 contacts (even -8 with some brands). There is a facebook group called endmyopia and they promote some kind of eye exercises to improve your sight. Maybe it's worth a try. Apart from that, try not to worry 
i’m a nurse so I try to take breaks in between so my eyes don’t hurt as much. it just worries me since I don’t want any complications when i’m older. it’s just super discouraging 
I know, i am also very worried of all possible complications that might come with age even if i know that worrying will not take me anywhere...
I know same here. One last question- did your myopia start as a kid or later in the teens? I’ve been nearsighted since 4th grade.
Yes, it started when I was 10 (also 3rd or 4th grade) and my first pair of glasses was -0.75D. Afterwards it just went worse and worse, taking even a 3D leap in when i was a teenager. It somehow stabilized after my 20s but it seems that it hasn't stopped progressing yet. The strange part is that no one in my family is nearsighted, i have never had health problems etc. So, as bad as it may sound, i just blame the opticians who kept increasing my diopters even when they knew i do a lot of close-work and me for not taking care of my eyes better
I have MMD started at 44 and at 54 fully progressed disease which led to severe sight loss. My advice is to have really good medical care and frequent checks with rail treatment (injections) when required.
I am really sorry to hear about this and that you have to cope with it.
First in series of webinars for different types of macular disease
vision drops after injection
planning a kitchen to best deal with failing vision
Pathological Myopia/Myopic CNV - told Eylea is licensed for use in UK but not funded in England (only Scotland and Wales) 
An update.
