Type of myopia that begins during childhood and progressively worsens, resulting in severe myopia by adulthood with an axial length >/= 26mm or refractive error >/= -6.00D)
Aetiology
Environmental and genetic influences cause increased axial growth of the eyeball
Often accompanied by degenerative changes in the retina
Clinical features
Symptoms
Blurred vision
Signs
Scleral thinning
Investigations
Fundoscopy
Lacquer cracks
Subretinal haemorrhage
Fuschs' spot - degeneration of the macula; occurs due to proliferation of RPE associated with choroidal haemorrhage
Posterior staphyloma - outpouching of scleral tissue typically involving the optic disc or macula
