Myopia (nearsightedness) is one of the most common ophthalmologic diseases in children and adolescents, in which the ability to see objects clearly in the distance is lost. Vision problems can be congenital or acquired. Often the development of the disease begins at the age of 6-12 years, when the child’s eyes are exposed to excessive strain in the process of reading, writing, watching TV or using computers and phones. Basically, the occurrence of myopia is associated with such causes as:
- Heredity;
- Congenital peculiarities of eyeball development;
- Hormonal changes in the body;
- Unfavorable conditions for the eyes;
- Injuries to the organs of vision;
- Transferred diseases and infections;
- Deficiency of necessary vitamins and microelements, etc.
How do parents understand that a child’s vision is decreasing?
Do not expect that the child himself will complain that he missed two balls in the game because he began to see worse in the distance. Children perceive events in their own way. They may simply not know what it means to see “good” and what it means to see “bad”.
Observe your child’s behavior. Pay attention to the symptoms of nearsightedness: the child brings a smartphone or book close to the face, squints, blinks often, rubs his eyes. The student may lean too low over the notebook, doing homework. Decreased academic performance, rapid fatigue, and headaches are also common signs of visual impairment.
What should you do if you notice symptoms of myopia?
- Start with a comprehensive diagnosis
Modern possibilities of pediatric ophthalmology allow you to conduct a complete non-contact examination of the visual system in one visit to the clinic and get an accurate picture of the state of vision. Based on the data, the doctor will prescribe an effective treatment system. This may be a complex of hardware treatment on special simulators, a course of massage, special night orthokeratology lenses, corrective glasses, contact lenses and other methods of correction.
- Follow the prescriptions of the ophthalmologist
In childhood, the optical means of vision correction prescribed by the doctor is therapy. If a hardware treatment is prescribed, this course will allow you to strengthen the visual system, create a reserve of strength for school loads. Such training for the child’s vision is equivalent to physical exercises for the muscles.
In the case when myopia is present, but does not progress, correction is necessary. Glasses or contact lenses will compensate for visual distortions, relieve eye strain,. The child will be more productive to study, without problems to do sports. Complete and correctly prescribed correction is the key to preserving vision.
- Eliminate factors that can increase the development of nearsightedness
Properly organize the lighting of the child’s workspace, where he does homework and reads. If the child is right-handed, the light from the desk lamp should fall on the left, if left-handed – on the right.
Organize a balanced, healthy diet for your child.
Agree with the child on the observance of the visual regimen. Explain the rationale for limiting work at the computer. Motivate your child to play sports and active games, and spend enough time outdoors.
Schoolchildren need to use the computer to study. Safe for health time that the child spends in front of the monitor depends on age. In 5-6 years it is recommended to use any gadgets no longer than 20 minutes a day. In 7-11 years – up to 30 minutes. In 12-14 years – up to 45 minutes. From 15 years – up to 2 hours a day. At the same time, every 30 minutes it is important to step away from the monitor to rest, look into the distance, and warm up.
- Visit your child’s eye doctor regularly
Mandatory vision screening for your child should be done at the following stages.
From birth to three months of age;
- from six to 12 months;
- at three years of age;
- at five years of age;
- at six to seven years of age before school entry and at least once a year thereafter.
Main methods of slowing the progression of myopia
To date, there is no method that would 100% stop the progression of myopia, but there are methods that can slow it down by 30-50%. The main ones are:
- Full vision correction and outdoor exercise are simple and effective measures for most children.
- Atropine drops – a medical method of slowing the lengthening of the eyeball.
- Myopic defocus – an optical correction method created with glasses, contact lenses, or orthokeratology lenses.
Now let’s look at each of these methods in more detail.
1. Full vision correction and daytime walks
For most children, vision correction with glasses or contact lenses is sufficient. It is also important to remember to take regular walks during the day, as studies show that children who spend at least 2 hours a day outdoors have a lower risk of myopia progression. This is due to several factors:
- Natural light: Daylight stimulates dopamine production in the retina, which prevents the eyeball from elongating.
- Close up distraction: Walking outdoors reduces the time children spend on gadgets and reading.
These simple measures help slow the progression of myopia, and for most children, they are sufficient.
2. Atropine drops: a medical approach
Numerous studies point to the effectiveness of low-dose atropine drops for slowing the progression of myopia. Atropine blocks muscarinic receptors that are found in various structures of the eye, including the sclera. This prevents elongation of the eye by affecting the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans, which slows the stretching and growth of the sclera.
Pros and cons:
- Pros: Effective in reducing myopia progression by up to 50%.
- Cons: Possible minor side effects such as photosensitivity and temporary decreased accommodation.
3. Myopic defocus: optical method
Myopic defocus is an optical correction method that slows the progression of myopia by shifting the focus of light rays in front of the retina. This creates a signal to the eye that further lengthening is not needed.
How is myopic defocus created?
- Spectacle Lenses: Specialty spectacle lenses that focus light into a central zone on the retina and create a myopic defocus in the peripheral zone.
- Soft contact lenses: Multifocal lenses that correct central vision and create a myopic defocus in the periphery of the retina.
- Orthokeratology lenses (night lenses): These lenses reshape the cornea at night, creating a myopic defocus during the day, but this method has an increased risk of bacterial infections.
Correction options after the age of 18
Myopia usually stops progressing once active growth is complete, and by age 15-16, the process of eye lengthening slows down considerably or stops. If your child reaches adulthood and wants to get rid of glasses or contact lenses, modern laser vision correction technology offers safe and effective solutions. This method eliminates the need to wear corrective devices and allows for a more active and comfortable lifestyle without glasses and lenses.
Conclusion
Myopia in children is a serious problem that requires timely diagnosis and a competent approach to treatment. Although it is impossible to completely stop the progression of myopia, modern methods such as vision correction, atropine drops, myopic defocus and active outdoor walks can significantly slow down its development. It is important to have regular check-ups and monitor your child’s eye health to ensure comfortable vision and prevent further complications.
