This is a common answer to why ophthalmologists are so concerned about childhood myopia!
Many epidemiological studies throughout the world including in Singapore are conclusive in the link between glaucoma and the prevalence of myopia. However, on the individual level itself, the cause of this association is less apparent.
Several theories have been proposed for this relationship. The most popular theories include that of reduced structural support in high myopes (thinner sclera/corneas due to having a larger eyeball) predispose to degeneration of the retinal nerve fibre layer (causing glaucoma), and that myopic patients have thinner retinal nerve fibre layers to begin with (associated with having a larger eyeball in general).
Suffice to say, that minimizing the severity of myopia development in children is an important priority for us as ophthalmologists in the community, as incidence rates of cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retinal degeneration conditions are all proportionately higher with the degree of myopia.
ESG
