high myopia concerns

[George_1]

A while ago I read in a national newspaper that high myopes (refraction error greater than -6d) have a one in three chance of having impaired vision (less than 30% vision after correction) in both eyes before their pension. This is especially due to degeneration of their central vision, the piece reads. Are these really the odds/lifetime risk for this category of myopes? Reading the article I became quite concerned given my own refraction error. I am a 41 year old male, -7.75d and -5.5d with some floaters since a year or so. I have my eyes checked by an ophthalmologist, but they usually do not say much apart from examining your eyes - hence my question here. I look forward to Dr Hagan's/someone's professional experience on this question, thank you very much!

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

I think those figures are wildly exaggerated and if you do your own research the figures are far more optomistic. Moreover by having an annual eye by an Eye MD ophthalmologist and living a healthy lifestyle especially not smoking or using any nicotine/cannabis, controlling blood pressure, blood sugars, moderate exercise and great diet  not getting obese you can further lower the odds of bad vision.  

[George_1]

Thank you very much for your prompt and helpful reply doctor, it is much appreciated!

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

Happy to be of help