Which is more severe: amblyopia or myopia?

In general, amblyopia and myopia are two distinct visual issues, each with its own level of severity and complexity, making it difficult to determine which is more serious.

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a type of refractive error characterized by blurry distance vision while near vision remains clear. Myopia can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or laser refractive surgery. The degree of myopia can progressively worsen, particularly in cases of high myopia, which may lead to various retinal complications such as retinal holes, retinal detachment, and macular hemorrhage. These complications can severely impair vision and potentially lead to blindness.

Amblyopia, commonly seen in children, is a developmental visual disorder that typically affects one eye. The brain fails to process visual signals from one eye properly, resulting in reduced vision that cannot be fully corrected even with appropriate glasses. Treatment for amblyopia usually needs to begin early in childhood and may involve methods such as patching the stronger eye to force the brain to use the amblyopic eye or undergoing vision therapy. If left untreated, amblyopia can result in permanent visual impairment.

In daily life, it is recommended to maintain good eye habits and avoid prolonged eye strain to preserve eye health.