myopic progression

[Emilyminus14]

I am turning 23.  I started with -1 glasses at 10 and now I need -14.50.  A few months ago, after giving birth, I got a -1 increase.  Will I get more myopic with each child I have?  Also, I have a +1.75 add.  It helps make print larger but has not slowed down my myopic progression.  Is that normal?  One more question.  My husband is -9.  Are our children doomed to be high myopes too?

[Emilyminus14]

When my optometrist put me in bifocals, she said they would help to slow my progression but it's still at full steam, seemingly.  Was she wrong?  I know a number of young people who have bifocals for the same reason.

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

-

[dukey]

Kids will almost definitely have myopia. Soon everybody will have it!

[dukey]

You are still relatively young. Myopia can progress continuously and aggressively, can keep going until mid to late 20s or can stop early and then start up again later in life. It's a complicated disorder and is almost impossible to predict. Mine progressed steadily probably up until mid 20s and then pretty much stopped and has been stable ever since and probably with some regression. Mine slowed as soon as I stopped studying to be honest, although my eyes felt "aggravated" when I was writing my PhD thesis. I can still wear my glasses from almost 8 years ago and get around!!! Note, however, that degenerative changes can still occur regardless of whether it has stabilised or not so keep regular appointments with an eye MD. Good luck!!

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

1. Pregnancy is not felt to increase myopia. Likely coincidental.
2. Bifocals do not slow down myopia.
3. The genetics are not well understood enough to answer but they are likely to be myopic.

JCH MD