Myopia, ageing

[AnnaE]

My daughter recently told me that vision is -10.50 diopters. We both are nearsighted, have astigmatism and lattice. Both of her retinas detached at age 18. She is now 40. I took her to a retina specialist last summer for a checkup, after she had informed me that she had seen only optometrists for several years. I plan to get her to the retinologist every year from now on. (I lost much vision in my own left eye this year, due to detachment. Her father was also very nearsighted.)

I have given her a lot of guidance on watching for symptoms of retinal problems, including watching for PVD. The retinologist gave none of these instructions, much to my surprise. The positive thing is that the retinologist said that her retinas, buckles and all look fine.However, I am worried about the -10.50 diopters. Her prescription has not changed substantially in 10 years. Could her myopia make her vulnerable to eye pathology as she ages? Am I correct in insisting that she should see a retinologist every year?

[AnnaE]

Thank you so much for the news that another RD is unlikely. Unfortunately, I will have to give her the news about MD. I will pose it as she must be cautionary--not that it might happen to her.

The answers here made me realize some issues about my own eyes. As I reported earlier, I have a trace of ERM on my right, "good" eye." I will have a discussion with my retina specialist when I see him in a week, regarding other symptoms I should watch for.

As for my daughter, I want to tell her everything to be guarded about, in case something happens to me. I will take her to my retina doctor this summer. I think this is a good idea, since he is getting to know her background to some extent, through my eyes.

I had told her that she could continue to see her optometrist, but only for her contacts and glasses. Is this OK?

Thanks you

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Your daughter should see an Eye MD annually. Either an general Eye MD or a retina specialist is okay. Some retina MDs do not do refractions and glasses testing. your daughter will need bifocals soon.

Her high degree of myopia (made worse because of the scleral buckle) will increase the risk of some problmes including macular degeneration. The risks of another RD is very very small.

JCH III MD

[kg17]

Yes, I believe that she should be followed by a retinal specialist at least every year given your genetics and degree of myopia.  You could look up the posts on this site regarding myopic macular degeneration, as well as retinal detachment.  Some folks have a high degree of myopia with little problem, while others have less myopia with severe problems.  Unfortunately, no one has a crystal ball.  Only basic risk assessments can be made.