What is the highest degree of myopia?

Nov 19, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Wang Lei

Introduction

From the perspective of common clinical classifications, myopia exceeding 600 degrees is considered high myopia, and over 1200 degrees is classified as very high myopia. Although these conditions are relatively rare in the general population, the number of individuals with high myopia has been gradually increasing due to changes in eye usage habits. Most patients with high myopia can maintain normal daily lives through appropriate correction, provided that no severe structural abnormalities have developed in the eye.

Generally speaking, there is no absolute universal definition for the maximum degree of myopia. In clinical practice, high myopia typically refers to myopia exceeding 600 degrees, with extreme cases surpassing 3,000 degrees, varying significantly based on individual differences in eye structure. If concerned, it is advisable to seek medical consultation early. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Clinically, myopia exceeding 600 degrees is classified as high myopia, while myopia over 1,200 degrees is considered ultra-high myopia. These conditions are relatively rare in the general population; however, the number of individuals with high myopia has been gradually increasing due to changes in visual habits. Most patients with high myopia can maintain normal daily lives through appropriate correction methods (such as surgery or specialized lenses). When no severe structural abnormalities are present in the eye, the progression of myopia tends to be relatively slow.

In extreme cases, a small number of patients may develop myopia exceeding 2,000 degrees or even reaching over 3,000 degrees, often due to genetic factors or abnormal eye development. Such cases are frequently associated with complications including excessive elongation of the eyeball and retinal thinning, posing significant risks to vision. These individuals require long-term, close monitoring of eye health and should avoid strenuous physical activity or eye trauma that could worsen their condition.

Individuals with high myopia should undergo fundus examinations every six months to one year to screen for complications such as retinal holes or macular degeneration. They should also avoid prolonged near-work activities, limit screen time on electronic devices, and seek immediate medical attention if experiencing sudden vision loss or floaters, to prevent disease progression.

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What should I do if my nearsightedness suddenly worsens?

If nearsightedness suddenly worsens, it is important to promptly undergo an eye examination to reassess vision, rule out eye diseases, adjust visual habits, improve the visual environment, and supplement nutrients beneficial for eye health, so as to avoid delaying diagnosis and treatment of potential problems. If accompanied by symptoms such as eye pain, distorted vision, light sensitivity, or excessive tearing, immediate medical evaluation is recommended. A professional eye exam can accurately determine changes in myopia degree and distinguish between true myopia and pseudo-myopia.

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How to Get Rid of Myopia Glasses

To get rid of myopic glasses, common methods include laser surgery, implantable intraocular lenses, orthokeratology (corneal reshaping lenses), vision training, and controlling the progression of myopia. Eligible individuals may choose laser surgeries such as SMILE or LASIK, which adjust the corneal shape to correct refractive errors, allowing light to focus accurately on the retina. After surgery, clear vision can be achieved without the need for glasses.

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What is 500-degree myopia in terms of decimal visual acuity?

If an individual has strong accommodative ability of the eyes, even with 500 degrees of myopia, they may achieve around 0.2 visual acuity during a standard eye chart test by relying on the eye's natural accommodation, barely recognizing the larger optotypes on the chart. However, distant details still appear blurry, and prolonged visual tasks can easily cause eye strain. Therefore, they still need corrective devices to improve their vision.

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How to recover from myopia in children's eyes

Children's myopia cannot be reversed. The key to improvement lies in controlling the progression of myopia, which can be achieved through scientifically prescribed eyeglasses, developing good eye-use habits, increasing outdoor activities, performing standardized eye exercises, and adjusting dietary patterns. These interventions help prevent myopia from progressing to high myopia. If you notice symptoms such as blurred vision or squinting in your child, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and refraction testing.