High Myopia in Children
High myopia refers to a severe degree of nearsightedness, generally a prescription of -6.00 diopters or higher. At Ortho K Specialty, we take high myopia seriously because it carries meaningfully higher long-term eye health risks than mild or moderate myopia.
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Why High Myopia Requires Closer Monitoring
As myopia becomes more severe, the eye continues to elongate, thinning and stretching the retina and increasing the risk of retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, and glaucoma later in life. Children on track toward high myopia benefit from earlier, more aggressive intervention. Learn more about these risks on our Myopia Epidemic page.
How We Manage High Myopia Risk
For children showing signs of rapid progression toward high myopia, we recommend starting ortho-k treatment or other myopia control options as early as appropriate, combined with consistent axial length tracking to measure whether the eye’s growth is slowing. Annual retinal health monitoring with optomap imaging becomes especially important for these patients.
Is My Child at Risk for High Myopia?
- A family history of high myopia
- A rapidly increasing prescription year over year
- Myopia diagnosed at a young age (before age 8)
- East Asian ethnicity, which carries a statistically higher prevalence of high myopia
Take our myopia risk quiz or schedule a consultation to discuss your child’s specific risk factors.
High Myopia FAQs
What prescription is considered high myopia?
High myopia is generally defined as a prescription of -6.00 diopters or higher, though your eye doctor can explain what this means for your child specifically.
Can high myopia be prevented?
Early, consistent myopia control treatment can help slow progression before it reaches high myopia levels, though results vary by child.
Does high myopia increase my child’s risk of blindness?
High myopia is associated with an increased long-term risk of serious eye conditions, but regular monitoring and treatment can help manage that risk.
How often should a child with high myopia be seen?
More frequent visits, often every 3 to 6 months, are generally recommended for children with high myopia or rapid progression.
Is ortho-k still effective for high myopia?
Ortho-k can help manage progression at various prescription levels; Dr. Cho will evaluate whether it’s appropriate for your child’s specific prescription.