Eye Health: Impact of Prolonged Near Vision and Retinal Degeneration

Q: Eye Health: Impact of Prolonged Near Vision and Retinal Degeneration

Hello, Xin： Does prolonged close-up use of the eyes accelerate retinal degeneration? (There is retinopathy of prematurity, and the retina has degenerated more.) -> If myopia worsens, it is more likely to degenerate. <br>If only one eye has vision and one side is used for viewing,

Vision problems

Hello, does prolonged close-up use of the eyes accelerate retinal degeneration? (There is retinopathy of prematurity, and the retina has degenerated more.) If only one eye has vision and I rely solely on that eye, will it lead to increased fatigue or degeneration? Why does wearing glasses closer to the eyes make things appear clearer? When I can't see clearly, bringing the lenses closer to my eyes makes things slightly clearer because my eyes turn inward and upward to see better.
What impact does this frequent adjustment have on my eyes? (Sometimes, after doing this for a while, my eyes feel a bit sore or painful.) Is the difficulty in seeing distant letters due to having a vision of only 0.3? If I can see small letters clearly when they are close, does that indicate that my near vision is not an issue? The visual field loss from retinopathy of prematurity does not worsen, right? What are the effects of not using the fovea to look at things? Thank you.

Xin, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2022/05/30

Dr. Gao Pilin reply Ophthalmology

Hello, Xin: Does prolonged close-up use of the eyes accelerate retinal degeneration? (There is retinopathy of prematurity, and the retina has degenerated more.) -> If myopia worsens, it is more likely to degenerate.
If only one eye has vision and one side is used for viewing, does that make the eye more prone to fatigue or degeneration? -> It can lead to fatigue, but if used normally with appropriate rest, degeneration is not necessarily inevitable.
Why do glasses provide clearer vision when they are closer to the eyes? When vision is unclear, bringing the lenses closer can make it slightly clearer.
-> This may be because the current image is formed in front of the retina, so it appears unclear.
Bringing the glasses closer shifts the image backward, making it closer to the retina and clearer.
When the eyes turn inward and upward to see more clearly, what impact does this have on the eyes? (Sometimes after doing this for a while, the eyes feel a bit sore or painful.) -> The muscles outside the eyes may become sore.
When looking at distant text, does it feel like the eyes need to exert a lot of effort to see clearly due to a vision of only 0.3? -> It is possible that poor vision requires more effort to see clearly.
If very small text can be seen clearly when close, does that indicate that near vision is not an issue? -> Yes, closer text is naturally easier to recognize.
The visual field loss from retinopathy of prematurity does not worsen, right? -> Typically, it is a peripheral retinal issue, but if it leads to high myopia or retinal degeneration, visual field loss is still possible.
What are the effects of not using the fovea for central vision? -> Objects cannot be seen clearly.
Recognition is not very precise.
However, with learning, some individuals can recognize certain things using peripheral vision, but it is ultimately not as clear as using the fovea.

Reply Date: 2022/05/30

More Info

Prolonged near vision use, such as reading or working on a computer, can indeed have implications for eye health, particularly for individuals with pre-existing conditions like retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). ROP can lead to retinal degeneration, and excessive near work may exacerbate visual fatigue and discomfort, especially if one eye is predominantly used for vision.
When only one eye is used for vision, it can lead to increased strain on that eye, potentially resulting in fatigue and discomfort. This is because the eye muscles are working harder to focus and maintain clarity, which can lead to symptoms like headaches and eye strain. Over time, if the eye is consistently overworked without adequate rest, it may contribute to further deterioration in visual acuity.

Regarding the clarity of vision when glasses are brought closer to the eyes, this phenomenon can be attributed to the optics of the lenses. When glasses are positioned closer to the eyes, the focal point of the lenses shifts, which can sometimes bring the image closer to the retina, resulting in clearer vision. However, this practice can lead to eye strain, as the eye muscles must work harder to maintain focus, especially if this is done frequently. Symptoms such as soreness or pain in the eyes can occur as a result of this strain.

If you find that distant letters require significant effort to see clearly, this could indeed be related to your visual acuity being at 0.3, indicating a level of myopia (nearsightedness). The ability to see small text clearly at a close distance suggests that your near vision may be relatively intact, but it does not negate the need for corrective lenses for distance vision.
As for the concerns regarding ROP and visual field loss, while it is true that the peripheral vision issues associated with ROP typically do not worsen, there is still a risk of developing high myopia or retinal degeneration, which can lead to further visual complications.
Not using the fovea (the central part of the retina responsible for sharp vision) can result in less clarity and detail in what you see. The fovea is crucial for tasks that require high visual acuity, such as reading or recognizing faces. If you rely on peripheral vision, you may find that objects appear less distinct and harder to focus on.

In summary, while prolonged near vision use can contribute to eye strain and discomfort, it is essential to maintain good eye health practices. This includes taking regular breaks, ensuring proper lighting, and using appropriate corrective lenses as prescribed. If you have concerns about your vision or the health of your eyes, it is advisable to consult with an eye care professional for a comprehensive evaluation and tailored recommendations. Regular eye exams are crucial, especially for individuals with a history of retinal issues or significant refractive errors.

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