What should I do if I have myopia in only one eye?

Many myopic friends have this question: Why are the degrees of myopia or astigmatism in the two eyes different when they see things with both eyes?

In fact, during the development of our eyes, most people have some differences in the refractive state of their eyes. What's worse, one eye may be myopic and the other may not. In ophthalmology, the phenomenon of "inconsistent refractive state of both eyes" is called anisometropia. So, what effects will this "difference" have on the eyes?

More prone to visual fatigue

Everything we see through our eyes is actually the result of the cooperation of our two eyes. Just like walking with two legs, if one leg is longer than the other, you will limp when you walk. Similarly, if the difference in the degree of both eyes is large, it is easy to cause difficulty in binocular fusion and increase visual fatigue.

The worse eye loses vision faster

According to the principle of "use it or lose it" of biological organs, the eye with good vision is often used, while the eye with poor vision gradually degenerates due to lack of use, causing the vision of the eye with poor vision to become worse and worse, and even affecting the decline of vision of both eyes.

Cause strabismus

For adolescent children in the visual development period, if there is a large refractive difference between the two eyes, the eye with good vision sees things clearly, while the eye with poor vision sees things blurry. This will affect the brain's judgment of clear image formation, thereby inhibiting the work of the eye with poor vision, affecting the development of visual function, and leading to the formation of strabismus or amblyopia.

How to correct it correctly

Teenagers and children can choose frame glasses or corneal contact lenses for correction, and visual function training is needed if necessary. Children under 12 years old should be corrected as early as possible to restore binocular vision and prevent the occurrence and development of strabismus or amblyopia. In addition to wearing glasses, adults can also choose refractive myopia surgery for correction through preoperative examination. Restore the balance of binocular vision and avoid further development that may cause adverse effects on daily vision.

You Changtao, deputy director of the Aier Eye Hospital affiliated to Henan University (Henan Headquarters of Aier Eye Hospital Group) and director of the Refractive Department, kindly reminds you: In daily life, develop correct eye habits, do not lie on your side or lie prone, or tilt your head when reading, writing, or playing with your mobile phone. Maintaining correct eye posture can prevent anisometropia to a certain extent.

References:

[1] Cheng Zhuohui, Yi Faling, Yan Li. Relationship between visual acuity and stereopsis in children with anisometropic amblyopia. Chinese Journal of Optometry and Visual Science. (2015).

[2] Zhang Yunying, Li Yuan, Li Jing. Clinical observation on correction of myopic anisometropia in adolescents with orthokeratology. Chinese Continuing Medical Education. (2016).