Does severity of myopia affect when myopia progression stops?
Many people who have low or moderate myopia will find that their prescription stabilizes by their early 20s. High myopia may continue to progress in a person who is in their 20s.
Low to moderate myopia
Low to moderate myopia, which is a refractive error of less than -6.00 D, is corrected by glasses or contact lenses.
Research has typically found these myopia stabilization age ranges for people with low or moderate myopia:
- About 50% of people have stable myopia by age 15.
- About 75% of people have stable myopia by age 18.
- 90% of people have stable myopia by age 21.
- Nearly all myopia is stable by age 24.
However, a more recent study found that myopia progression may continue past the age of 20 in about one-third of adults.
High myopia
Some myopes may find that their prescription continues to increase at each yearly eye exam. When refractive error increases above -6.00 D, it is classified as high myopia.
The younger a child develops myopia, the higher their rate of progression may be.
This type of myopia is inherited and uncommon. It is due to the eye growing too long or the curvature of the cornea being too steep.
High myopia greatly increases the risk for certain serious eye conditions, including:
- Glaucoma
- Posterior subcapsular cataracts
- Nuclear cataracts
- Retinal detachment
- Myopic macular degeneration
Most myopia stabilizes by age 24
Low to moderate myopia levels off by age 24 for many people. Severe types of myopia, such as high myopia and pathological myopia, may continue to progress past the early 20s.
Several strategies have been found to possibly slow down the progression of myopia, including:
- Daily application of low-dose atropine eye drops
- Myopia control eyeglasses and contact lenses
- Overnight Orthokeratology
- Increased time spent in outdoor sunlight
- Frequent vision breaks during near work
Note: While many studies have looked at and eye doctors have used atropine eye drops over the years, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it for the indication of myopia control. It is considered off-label use.
The protective effects of outdoor sunlight exposure have been confirmed by multiple studies. Increased time spent outdoors can reduce the risk of myopia development and progression. Spending more time outside in adolescence can also decrease the risk of developing late-onset myopia (after age 15).
Staying current on comprehensive eye exams is the recommended approach to managing myopia and keeping your eyes healthy. An eye doctor can monitor myopia and implement strategies to slow down its progression in order to help avoid the development of high myopia.
