Is Refractive Power Of -10D A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Tue, 21 Jul 2015

Question: Hi,
My fiance has high eye power. I want to know how high is -10D power. Is it crippling? if a person uses lens or spectacles, is it fine? how high should a power be so that it can be considered disability?

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is fine to use spectacles or lenses.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care Magic.

I reviewed your history.
The refractive power of more than -6 is called as high myopia.
This can be associated with changes in the eye like retinal thinning and hence called as pathological myopia.

The treatment is by use of spectacles or contact lenses.
Otherwise he can undergo refractive laser surgery like Lasik.

The only precaution that needs to be taken in high myopia is yearly eye examination to rule out retinal problems or treat them by laser if present to prevent complications.

For disability high power is not considered.
A person becomes eligible for disability when vision does not improve with spectacles.
This occurs in very high pathological myopia with retinal problems.
This is usually seen in power of more than -16 or -18 and above.

Hope the information is helpful to you.

Do write back to me for further questions.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (27 minutes later)

I have had high power myself. -7.5 in both eyes. I got lasik done. Can there be any problem with kids?

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
There are chances that children can develop myopia.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for follow up question.

If both the parents are having myopia then there are chances of children developing myopia.
The chances are about 30%.

Hope the information is helpful to you.

Do write back to me for further questions.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (6 hours later)

Actually i am scared of the -10 power. Can it create problems for my fiancee? Any complications which may arise later? She wears contacts and spectacles right now. Can she go blind?Should I be scared?

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to be scared.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.

I can understand your concerns, but no need to be worried.

High refractive power by itself will not cause much problems.
Regular eye examination once in a year to look for retinal problems and their treatment will prevent any chance of complications.

Your fiancé can also go for Lasik surgery.

Hence no need to be worried.

Hope the information is helpful to you.

Do write back to me for further questions.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (16 hours later)

Can a person have -2 & -10 ? What causes this disbalance?

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
A person can have unequal refractive powers in his both the eyes.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.

I reviewed your history.
It is common to see people with different refractive powers in two eyes. Hence a person can have -2 and -10 refractive powers.

This is usually because of unequal refractive powers of the eye. This can cause a condition called as anisometropia. This can be corrected either by contact lenses or by refractive laser surgery.

Hope the information is helpful to you.

Do write back to me for further questions.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar