The development of the human eye is a process from hyperopia – orthopia (mild myopia) – hyperopia. Newborns are highly hyperopic.
Infants and toddlers are basically hyperopic and very few are nearsighted.
More than 90% of preschoolers are hyperopic. (Of these, 20-25% of hyperopia is pathological, and it is what causes children to have lower than normal vision. There is ocular hypoplasia leading to amblyopia.)
Visual acuity reaches its personal peak at the age of 19.
Tendency to hyperopia occurs after age 35 (myopic individuals show a gradual decrease in prescription)
The specific age at which middle-aged and older individuals with hyperopia require glasses for reading varies widely.
Visual acuity is the ability to distinguish fine or distant objects and subtle parts of them. Visual acuity can be considered normal only when central vision, peripheral vision and stereopsis all meet the physiological requirements.
During the examination, the main focus is to check the distance vision. Usually only the central vision is checked.
Nearsighted eyes see near targets clearly and see far blurry, and need to wear glasses to correct them.
Myopia is the most common eye disease among Chinese children, and the rate of myopia among mainland children is much higher than that of children in other countries and regions, and there are many other eye diseases associated with myopia.
The human eye has a certain ability to adjust to make the image on the retina as clear as possible. However, excessive use of the eye increases the pressure of the extraocular muscles on the eye, especially in primary and secondary school students, whose eyes are developing and whose walls are more extended, and prolonged excessive use of the eye is more likely to cause abnormal development of the eye, resulting in distant light passing through the refraction of the eye and deviating from the retina, causing vision loss.
Before the age of 12, children’s eyes are more plastic, which is a critical stage of eye development.
Keys to preventing myopia.
Appropriate light brightness
Light (too bright or too dark) is the number one factor that affects vision.
National standard: Illumination for reading/writing in indoor settings > 300 Lux.
Key point: Parents can purchase an eye protection light pen to determine if the light is appropriate.
Good eye posture at close range
Posture is a major factor affecting myopia. Bad habits such as riding in a car, lying in bed, or reading with a crooked head can increase the frequency and magnitude of the burden on the eye regulation. When using your eyes at close range, it is best to sit upright and keep your books at a distance of about 750px from your eyes. If you are watching TV, the distance from the TV is more than 6 times the diagonal of the TV.
The point is that parents should spend time with and supervise the child to develop good habits.
Shorten the time of near eye use
Most students’ vision loss is a result of a decrease in the mediation function of the eyes. Prolonged use of the eyes at close range can easily lead to a decrease in eye regulation, which in turn leads to vision loss. Usually, when using the eyes at close range, take a 10-15 minute break every 45-60 minutes.
Important: Parents should balance their children’s eyes and their own expectations, and should make trade-offs when myopia occurs.
Increase outdoor activities
It is best for children’s eyes to rest and relax.
Currently most indoor spaces are less than 5 meters, and the volume ratio of urban buildings limits the distance children can see from a distance.
We recommend going to nature, flying kites, climbing mountains, playing soccer, traveling, etc.
Vision screening.
Kindergarten and elementary schools schedule vision checkups every semester.
Parents can have their vision checked regularly at the hospital.
Recommended: For school-age children, families should check themselves monthly or biweekly.
Purchase a vision chart, hang it on the wall, and check both eyes separately from children 5 meters away in natural light. The results may not be accurate, but you can look at a relative change in visual acuity. If there is a regression from the previous examination, seek medical attention as early as possible.
Myopia treatment.
Early myopia in children is regulation fatigue (pseudomyopia)
You can try to pay attention to eye use and treat with some medication. If neglected or not taken seriously, it usually turns into true myopia within six months.
In general, children who blink frequently, turn their heads, squint, and unconsciously move forward when watching TV should be taken seriously by their parents. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Myopia in children usually requires a dilated eye exam and glasses according to the doctor’s recommendation.
Wearing glasses can reduce the adjustment burden of the eyes and slow down the development of myopia.
(For example, the doctor himself had 150 degrees of glasses in the 5th grade, and graduated from college with 300 degrees. Now 45 years old old light tendency, wear 200 degrees of myopia. If not wearing glasses at that time, may be 100 degrees deeper each year.)
OK lenses are also an option for children with myopia, you can consult your doctor.
Others such as food, supplements, health exercises, herbs, acupuncture, etc. do not yet have internationally recognized clinical evidence. It is limited to individual experience.
Vision charts are generally available at Xinhua bookstores and also on Taobao for less than 10 yuan. Eye protection pen is available on Taobao, usually around 100 yuan.