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Myopic shift

I have myopic macular degeneration, and I also have cataracts (nuclear and cortical).  I have heard and read and nuclear cataracts cause a slight myopic shift.  However, in the last 15 months, my myopia has worsened by about 3 diopters!  Could this possibly be from the cataracts, or is it more likely that my eye is getting longer and the retina thinner.

Even before having cataracts, my myopia gradually got worse, but within the last couple of years, it has been at warp speed!

I will be seeing my retinal specialist in a month, but in the meantime, I would at least like to know if it is possible for a nuclear cataract to cause such a fast change.

By the way, when I saw the retinal specialist in October, he was against cataract surgery for now because of the risk of retinal detachment.

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Avatar universal
A related discussion, Unexplained Accelerated Myopic Shift was started.
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Avatar universal
Actually, I do have pathologic myopia and even have had a CNV in my left eye.  My eyesight has never stopped getting worse since I was 12 years old.  However, since I have had cataracts the change has gotten more rapid, and in the last year it is truly at "warp speed".  It is very scary especially since I have pathologic myopia, and I guess I am hoping that this very rapid change that I have had recently is due to the cataracts and not due to the progressive pathologic myopia!  As I said I will see my retinal specialist in less than a month, but I would just like to know if nuclear cataracts can cause that rapid of a change.
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1573381 tn?1296147559
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It theoretically can happen but other potential causes should be investigated.  Certain medications could cause a myopic shift so you should go over your list with your ophthalmologist.  Diabetes could also cause it in case you haven't been checked by your PCP, you may want him to check for that.  Eye should not be getting longer in an adult (assuming you do not have "pathologic myopia" going back to your 20s).

HV
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