For years we have been told that myopia (short-sightedness) “stops” once we have finished growing. And it is true that, for most people, their prescription tends to stabilise in early adulthood. But that is not always the case: many patients tell us that, well past the age of 25 or 30, they still need new glasses or contact lenses because their distance vision keeps getting worse.
At Ramírez & Gálvez Clinic we explain why myopia can increase in adults, what the most common causes are, which signs deserve a check-up and when it makes sense to consider refractive surgery so you no longer depend on glasses.
Can myopia keep increasing after the age of 25–30? 🤔
Myopia occurs when the eye focuses images in front of the retina, usually because the eye is slightly longer than normal or because its optical system (cornea and lens) is more powerful than it needs to be. The result is that you see clearly up close but blurred in the distance.
Most commonly, myopia progresses during childhood and adolescence and stabilises in early adulthood. However, in some people it continues to advance slowly through their twenties or even later, and in others it appears for the first time in adulthood. A slight change in your prescription over the years is not necessarily a cause for concern, but a steady or sudden increase does warrant an eye examination to find out why.
Common causes of increasing myopia in adults 🔍
There is no single explanation. These are the situations we see most often:
- Heavy use of near vision: spending many hours a day reading, studying or looking at a computer or phone, with little time outdoors, is associated with myopia progression, especially in university students and in jobs with a heavy close-up visual workload.
- Genetic predisposition: if your parents are short-sighted, your myopia is more likely to be higher and to take longer to stabilise.
- Severe myopia or high myopia: in eyes with a strong prescription, the eyeball may continue to lengthen slowly in adulthood. In these cases, besides the prescription, it is important to have the retina checked regularly.
- Changes in the lens (index myopia): with age, the eye’s natural lens may begin to harden and become cloudy. In the early stages of a cataract, particularly a nuclear cataract, the way the lens bends light changes and the eye becomes “more short-sighted”. Typically, the person notices worse distance vision and, sometimes, that they can suddenly read better without glasses.
- Other causes that need checking: changes in the shape of the cornea (such as keratoconus), fluctuations in blood sugar in people with diabetes, certain medications or, temporarily, sustained focusing effort (so-called pseudomyopia). That is why simply “increasing the prescription” without a full examination is not advisable.
Signs that you should book an eye examination 🚦
We recommend seeing an ophthalmologist if you notice any of the following:
- You need new glasses or contact lenses every so often because your prescription no longer works.
- Your myopia is increasing much more in one eye than in the other.
- Your vision is blurred even with an up-to-date prescription, or images look double or distorted.
- Lights bother you more, you see halos or glare when driving at night, or colours seem duller.
- You have high myopia and notice new floaters, flashes of light or a shadow in your field of vision: in this case, seek urgent attention.
During the examination we measure your prescription precisely, assess the cornea, lens and retina and, if necessary, the length of the eye. This tells us whether the change is due to myopia progression or to another cause that requires different treatment.
When should you consider refractive surgery? 👓➡️👁️
If your myopia limits you in everyday life, myopia surgery may be an option to reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses and contact lenses. For a predictable result, there are two basic requirements:
- A stable prescription: your myopia should not be increasing. If it is still progressing, the sensible approach is to wait and check again, because operating on a prescription that is still changing may mean some myopia returns over time.
- A thorough assessment of the cornea: using topography and corneal thickness measurements, we check that the cornea is healthy, regular and thick enough. This assessment also rules out keratoconus or other conditions that make laser treatment unsuitable.
With this information, the surgeon will recommend the most suitable technique for your case:
- Laser surgery: reshapes the surface of the cornea to correct the prescription. It is usually the option for low and moderate myopia when the cornea has a suitable thickness and shape.
- Phakic intraocular lenses (ICL): a lens is implanted in front of the eye’s natural lens, without removing it. It is an alternative for high myopia or for thin or irregular corneas where laser is not the best option. You can read more on our page about refractive surgery with intraocular lenses.
- When the lens is already changing: if the myopia is caused by an early cataract, laser is not usually the answer; instead, cataract surgery with an intraocular lens that also corrects the prescription may be considered.
Frequently asked questions about myopia in adults ❓
Does wearing glasses make myopia worse?
No. Wearing the correct prescription does not make myopia worse; on the contrary, it lets you see clearly and reduces visual strain.
Can I slow down myopia as an adult?
Taking breaks during close-up work, keeping good lighting and spending time outdoors are healthy habits for your eyes. The most important thing is to have regular check-ups so that any change is detected early.
Does refractive surgery mean I no longer need check-ups?
No. Surgery corrects the prescription, but it does not change the shape of the eye. If you had high myopia, you will still need regular retinal check-ups.
Myopia check-ups in Torre del Mar and Lucena 🏥
At both our Torre del Mar and Lucena clinics, Dr Sonia Gálvez and Dr Javier Ramírez assess each case individually: we find out why your prescription is changing, monitor the health of your retina and, if you are a suitable candidate, clearly explain the refractive surgery options that best suit your eyes and your lifestyle.
Is your myopia still increasing, or are you thinking about giving up your glasses? Book your assessment at our clinics in Torre del Mar or Lucena and get your questions answered by our team. 📅✨