Being highly nearsighted can lead to blindness.
Did you know that being nearsighted makes you more susceptible to serious retinal problems? Nearsighted or Myopia means you see better close up than far away. If you are more than a little nearsighted (myopic) you need glasses to function in daily life. A person that has thick edged eyeglasses may be highly myopic.

Refractive optical values for making glasses and contact lenses are measured in Diopters. If you have a prescription in your glasses or contact lenses that is a negative six diopters or greater (example > -6.00) you probably have a thinning retina. The thin retina (sensory nerve tissue in the back of the eye) is at risk for a tear or hole which can quickly lead to a retinal detachment. A retinal detachment if not treated promptly results in permanent blindness.

Proper eye care is to have a dilated fundus exam at least once a year by your Eye Care Professional. Ask your Doctor if you are highly myopic or have thin retinas. Be aware of symptoms such as "Flashes or Floaters". If you see a "Curtain", "Veil", or "Webb" in your vision call your Eye Doctor immediately.

You should know that even if you have corrective vision surgery such as Lasik, your retina is still at risk.

Learn more about this author, Tammy Banasiak.
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