10 Concerning Complications Associated With Untreated Nearsightedness

5. Cataracts

Cataracts are another fairly common eye condition that causes vision loss. With this condition, a patient's vision becomes cloudy. In some cases, a cataract may progress so far that surgery is required. The lens of the eye slowly clouds over time, which makes vision hazier. Patients might notice they have trouble filtering light in harsh glare conditions and they'll also need more light to see clearly. There have been multiple options pioneered over the past few decades in cataract treatment. It's possible to remove a cataract entirely. Surgeons will replace it with an artificial lens, which helps patients see well by refocusing the light. Lens implants should last for a patient's entire life. Combined with other surgical options, this might allow an individual with nearsightedness to have much better vision.

6. Night Myopia

Nearsighted individuals often find that their vision worsens dramatically in low-light conditions—a condition known as night myopia. This happens because the eye struggles to focus properly in darkness, making distant objects appear even blurrier than usual. Night driving becomes particularly hazardous, with headlights and streetlamps creating glare and reducing depth perception. Even people with mild myopia may experience difficulty seeing clearly at night. Special glasses with anti-reflective coating or night-driving lenses can help reduce this effect. If you’ve ever squinted at a road sign after sunset, night myopia could be the reason—and it’s worth bringing up at your next eye exam.