Myopia in children: causes and treatment. Causes and treatment of myopia in school-age children and younger

Treatment of myopia in school-age children is very important, because it is during this period that this disease manifests itself most often. Both true and false myopia can develop. Moreover, in the latter case, if the hygiene of vision is not observed, it is possible to miss the moment of its transformation into a true one. Most often, children begin to treat a child at the age of seven to thirteen, because it is from this age that the load on the organs of vision sharply increases in schoolchildren.

How to tell if a child has myopia?

Even with the mildest degree of the disease, certain symptoms will appear:

The student will complain that distant objects are vague and indistinct.
Will constantly squint so that you can better see them.
To see letters or small images, he will move close to the monitor or bring the book to his eyes.
There may be complaints of grains of sand in the eyes, headaches, cramps, fatigue.

If you experience such symptoms, you should go for a consultation with an ophthalmologist and start treatment. It is most important to recognize the case if there is progressive myopia, when the drop in vision is half a diopter or more. If, with such a pathology, you begin to treat a child on time, then there are a lot of chances to maintain and even regain vigilance. Before treating a child for myopia, the doctor will determine to what extent his vision has fallen.

Depending on the severity of the dysfunction, there are three types of myopia:

weak degree (drop to three diopters);
medium(3-6 diopters);
severe (over 6 diopters).

With the latter degree, the retina and vascular walls become thinner, the disease can lead to complete blindness.

But even a progressive disease is treated, and at a serious stage of the disease modern medicine able to provide assistance.

Children of school age are often diagnosed with "false myopia". This means that the loss of vision is temporary and is associated with excessive stress of accommodation. visual apparatus while studying. This spasm is relieved pharmaceuticals... If you start on time, then false myopia can be cured completely. If not, then against its background, true, progressive myopia can develop and lead to loss of vision. Prevention of myopia should be started even before the disease manifests itself.

TO preventive measures relate:

reducing the load on the visual system in children aged 7 years and older;
correct lighting in the working area (light bulb at least 60 W);
the distance from the eyes to a book, notebook or monitor is at least 35 cm;
rest every 45 minutes of strenuous visual work;
a ban on reading and watching programs in moving vehicles;
rational nutrition with enough vitamins and valuable substances (calcium, zinc, lutein).

If a child has severe myopia, then many are contraindicated for him. physical exercise and he can be exempted from physical education lessons.

At weak myopia you can go in for sports, even useful, except for difficult jumps and acrobatics.

Conservative therapy

To treat this ailment in a school-age child begins after diagnosing the severity of the disease and calculating the necessary measures by an ophthalmologist. In most cases, it is assigned conservative treatment.

It includes:

Corrective techniques using glasses or contact lenses.
Exercises for the eyes that involve training the optic muscles.
Hardware impact, including laser stimulation.
Strengthening activities: massage of the neck and collar zone, feasible sports activities, a clear daily routine, proper nutrition.
Folk remedies (after consultation with your doctor).

Drug therapy(vitamin and mineral complexes, eye drops, other drugs prescribed by an ophthalmologist).

As for the pharmaceutical treatment of a school-age child, it all depends on the causes of the disease. So, if myopia has arisen due to dystrophic changes in the retina, you will need funds that improve blood circulation. It can be "Emoxipin", "Ditsinon", "Vikasol", and others. If there is hemorrhage, then drugs that dilate blood vessels are prohibited. You will need absorbing agents, for example, "Fibrinolysin", "Lidaza".

Correction with glasses can stop the development of the disease by relieving eye tension. Contact lenses are also suitable for a teenager. They adapt better to the movement of the pupil and are useful for seeing differences in vision between the eyes.

Together with the student, you can carry out gymnastics for the eyes. These exercises in a playful way will entertain the child and help stop the development of the disease. Gymnastics according to Avetisov, which develops the ciliary muscle, is popular with parents.

It can be done with the whole family:

Circles and eights. Their child must do with his eyes, without moving his head.
Eye movements to the right-left or up and down.
Gentle pressure on the closed eye with the pads of the fingers.

Strong shutting and sharp opening of the eyes.
Observing the mark drawn on the window pane with a periodic look at the objects outside the window.

There are a lot of eye gymnastics complexes, and you will definitely find a suitable one for your family.

Folk remedies will also help to cure myopia in a weak form. They can only be used after talking with a doctor.

What folk remedies are suitable for school-age children:

Rowan-nettle broth. To prepare it, 20 g of rowan berries and leaves are mixed with nettle grass (30 g). The mixture is boiled in two glasses of water for 15 minutes over low heat. Then they insist for 60 minutes, filter. This drink is taken before each meal for half a cup.
Freshly squeezed carrot juice... It's a good idea to have this drink before dinner. Add a little olive or flaxseed oil to it to absorb beta-carotene.
Cherry leaf lotions. Treatment with such means as drops, for a younger student, is always associated with whims. Scalded cherry leaves as a compress at night will not cause any discomfort.

And the child will ask for this version of the folk remedy himself. You need to mix chopped apricots and walnuts (100 g each) and add honey (five large spoons). You need to eat it a little every morning and evening.

Apparatus treatment of myopia is also very effective. It can be magnetotherapy, electrical stimulation, color impulse, vacuum massage, computer trainings to improve vision.

Orthokeratological technique (wearing special lenses that change the shape of the cornea), relaxing glasses and laser-vision glasses also represent a hardware effect on accommodation and other parts of the eye.

Hardware treatment for myopia includes laser stimulation, as well as a combination of a laser with infrared exposure. These options will restore the function of the accommodative muscle.

Surgical and laser treatments

Surgical intervention with the use of a laser can now be applied to a child. It is able to completely cure myopia.

They can be of three types: LASIK, Super LASIK (differs in the type of templates) and photorefractive keratectomy (suggested for mild myopia, but which is already progressive).

Laser treatment helps to correct the cornea, making it flatter, which will change the focus of the visual apparatus and restore vision forever.

If the disease has reached a severe stage or it is rapidly progressing, then it may be required surgical intervention.

Such operations are of several types:

Methodology	How is	When appointed
Strengthening the sclera (scleroplasty)	As an injection to strengthen the sclera.	With the rapid progression of myopia (over 6 diopters) and an increase in length eyeball.
	How to transplant strips of special material to back wall eyes.
Refractive methods	Keratomileusis - surgery removing a thin layer of the cornea.	At serious pathologies different parts of the eye.
	Keratotomy - Freezing a thin layer of the cornea and then removing it.
	Keratophakia - implantation of an implant into the cornea - an analogue of a diffusing contact lens.
	Extraction of the lens.

To avoid such serious treatment methods and stop myopia for early stages, regular medical supervision of children and adolescents is very important. A healthy student should come to an appointment with an ophthalmologist once a year, the one with eye diseases - once every six months.

More than 90% of full-term babies at birth have farsightedness, which is also called the “farsightedness reserve”. Moreover, this “reserve” should be + 3.0 D - +3.5 D in a newborn. This is due to the fact that the eye of a newborn is smaller than that of an adult. The anteroposterior eye size of a newborn is about 17-18 mm, a three-year-old baby is 23 mm, and an adult's is 24 mm. Thus, the intensive growth of the eyeball occurs before the age of three years, and the final formation of the eyeball is completed by the age of 9-10 years. Nature has foreseen everything: she gave human eye stock of 3.5 diopters, which is consumed as the eye grows and by the age of 9-10 the child's eyes, as a rule, have normal (emmetropic) refraction. Therefore, hyperopia is the norm for children. But, if at birth a farsightedness of + 2.5 D or less or normal refraction of the eye (emmetropia) is revealed, then the child has a high probability of developing myopia in the future, because this “reserve” is not enough for the growth of the eyeball.

In a healthy eye, the image is projected directly onto the retina. But with an increased length of the eyeball (while it resembles a chicken egg) or with increased refraction of light rays in the eye, the image does not reach the retina, but is projected in front of it and, as a result, is perceived as blurry. When an object approaches the eyes or when using negative lenses, the image is projected directly onto the retina and is clearly perceived by the eye. This is the essence of myopia.

Causes of myopia in children

Myopia can be hereditary, congenital and acquired. Numerous studies have shown that heredity plays a key role in the development of myopia, and not the disease itself is inherited, but the predisposition to its occurrence. It has been established that if one of the parents suffers from myopia, then the risk of its occurrence in the child increases; but it rises even more if both parents suffer from myopia. Thus, it is necessary to take all measures to prevent the development of the disease in such children.

Congenital myopia appears when there is a disproportion between the length of the eye (anteroposterior axis) and the strength of refraction (refraction), but it does not progress only if the child does not have hereditary weakness and increased scleral extensibility. But, in most cases, such myopia is combined with weakness of the sclera and its increased extensibility, and it is steadily progressing, which can lead to severe irreversible changes in the eye and significant loss of vision, which can cause vision disability. The cause of the development of congenital myopia can be congenital pathology cornea or lens, prematurity, hereditary scleral pathology, and congenital glaucoma... But one elevated intraocular pressure insufficient for the development of myopia. For it to occur, high blood pressure must be combined with weakness in the sclera.

But more often myopia develops and progresses at school age, which is associated with an increase in visual load, impaired posture, unbalanced diet(lack of calcium, magnesium, zinc, etc.), improper organization of the workplace, excessive use of a computer or TV, as well as with accelerated growth child. An important role is played by accompanying illnesses(for example, diabetes mellitus) and infections that can provoke the development of myopia.

Thus, the following risk factors for the development of myopia are distinguished:

1. Heredity.
2. Congenital anomalies of the eyeball.
3. Prematurity (myopia occurs on average in 40%).
4. Increased visual stress.
5. Not balanced diet.
6. Failure to observe hygiene of vision.
7. Infections and related common diseases(frequent acute respiratory infections, diabetes mellitus, Down syndrome, Marfan syndrome, etc.).
8. Congenital glaucoma.

The immediate causes of the development of myopia are an increase in the anteroposterior size of the eye more than 25 mm with normal refractive power of the eye (axial myopia) or an increase in refractive power with a normal anteroposterior size (refractive myopia), as well as their combination (mixed myopia).

Types of myopia

Myopia is physiological, pathological (myopic disease) and lenticular. Physiological myopia can be axial or refractive, pathological - only axial, and lenticular - only refractive.

Physiological myopia usually occurs during the period of intensive growth, and its degree increases until the end of eye growth. Such myopia does not lead to disability.

Lenticular myopia often occurs with diabetes mellitus or central cataract.

Pathological myopia can begin as physiological, but it is characterized by persistent progression, with the rapid growth of the eyeball in length. It often leads to disability.

Examination of a child with myopia

At the appointment, the doctor needs to talk about the course of pregnancy and childbirth, about the diseases suffered by the child, about when the first signs of decreased vision appeared and how they were expressed, about complaints at the moment, about the duration and conditions of visual work, about concomitant or past diseases, including infectious ones, whether the child has relatives suffering from myopia, whether the child used glasses and for how long, whether he changed glasses and how often, whether the treatment was carried out and whether it had an effect.

At the first inspection at 3 months the doctor conducts an external examination of the child's eyes. During the examination, the doctor pays attention to the size, shape and position of the eyeballs, whether he fixes bright toys with his eyes. Then, using an ophthalmoscope, he examines the cornea, notes if there is a change in its shape and size; examines the anterior chamber of the eye (this is the distance between the cornea in front and the iris in the back). With myopia, the anterior chamber is usually deep, but this indicator can only be assessed by a doctor.

Then the doctor pays attention to the lens: is there a central cataract, which can also impair distance vision; and on the vitreous body: are there any floating opacities. At the very end of the ophthalmoscopy, the doctor examines the fundus. With myopia, due to stretching of the posterior segment of the eye, changes around the optic nerve head are almost constantly observed - the appearance of a myopic cone or staphyloma. The myopic cone is located in the form of a crescent around the optic nerve head. With the progression of myopia, the myopic cone enlarges and turns into a staphyloma, which covers the optic nerve head in the form of a ring. Thus, staphyloma is, in fact, a consequence of an enlargement of the myopic cone.

With a high degree of myopia (more than 6.0 D), an increase in pigmentation may be observed in the fundus, atrophic changes, ruptures, hemorrhages, which appear due to stretching and fragility of blood vessels; as well as detachment of the vitreous body and retina. Often, the atrophic process captures the central area of the retina, which significantly impairs vision. A characteristic of myopia is the appearance of a Fuchs spot - pigmentation at the site of a hemorrhage or a dystrophic focus in the macular zone of the retina. With congenital myopia, changes occur in the fundus of the eye that are characteristic of high degrees. Such myopia progresses rapidly and often leads to disability, therefore it is very important to make a diagnosis as early as possible for timely treatment.

The next stage of the examination is skiascopy (or shadow test). Skiascopy is performed as follows: the doctor sits opposite the child at a distance of 1 meter and illuminates the pupil with an ophthalmoscope mirror, while the pupil is illuminated with red light. When the ophthalmoscope is rocked, a shadow appears against the background of the red glow of the pupil. Observing the nature of the movement of the shadow, the doctor determines the type of refraction (myopia, emmetropia or hyperopia). To establish the degree of refraction, the doctor puts a skiascopic ruler to the eye, consisting of negative lenses (for myopia), starting with the weakest one, and marks the lens at which the shadow stops moving. Then, having made certain calculations, the doctor determines the degree of myopia and makes an accurate diagnosis. But at the age of up to a year in 15 minutes. before this study, it is necessary to instill tropicamide 0.5% to determine a more accurate diagnosis. There are three degrees of myopia: weak - up to 3.0 diopters, medium - 3.25-6.0 diopters, high - 6.25 and higher.

By using ultrasound examination(Ultrasound) can detect lens displacement, changes and detachment of the vitreous body, retinal detachment, determine the type of myopia (axial or refractive) and measure the anteroposterior size of the eye.

If in 6 months and older parents notice that the child has a divergent strabismus, then this is a reason for contacting an ophthalmologist, since a divergent squint in some cases may be a sign of myopia. At the second scheduled examination, the doctor uses the same techniques as at the first. In this case, it is imperative to compare the results of skiascopy with previous results. And, if myopia was detected at 3 months, then it is necessary to establish or exclude its progression, tk. its consequence may be irreversible visual impairment, which requires immediate treatment.

From year parents may notice that their child does not see well into the distance and seeks to bring everything closer to the eyes, that they squint or blink frequently. In this case, parents should definitely show the baby to an ophthalmologist in order to exclude the development of myopia, especially if one of the parents suffers from it.
Up to about three years, examination for myopia is limited only to the above methods.

From the age of three in addition to the above methods, the visual acuity of each eye is determined using tables. After detecting reduced visual acuity, the doctor selects corrective lenses that improve distance vision. For myopia, these are negative lenses. To determine the degree of myopia, the strength of the lenses is gradually increased until the best visual acuity is achieved. Instead of skiascopy, from this age, you can use the autorefractometry method, having previously carried out a five-day atropinization. You can also examine in detail the anterior structures of the eye using a slit lamp, and using ophthalmoscopy, conduct a more detailed examination of the central and peripheral departments fundus. Skiascopy is performed after preliminary atropinization within 5 days. 2 weeks after the last instillation of atropine, the correction is specified. But the most detailed examination of the fundus is possible with the help of an examination with a fundus lens.

Schoolchildren's vision need to be checked annually because all of them are at risk of developing myopia. More often, schoolchildren develop mild or moderate myopia, which, as a rule, does not progress and does not cause complications. The first sign of myopia development may be a temporary and sudden deterioration in distance vision, while maintaining good near vision. Schoolchildren complain that they have begun to see poorly what is written on the blackboard, and when they are transplanted to the front desks, they can see better, complain about increased fatigue eye. This condition is called accommodation spasm. It occurs when the ciliary muscle spasms, which regulates the curvature of the lens and, accordingly, the refraction of the rays. The cause of the spasm can be vegetative dystonia, which is often found in young people, non-observance of the rules for visual work, asthenia, hysteria and increased nervous irritability. As a rule, it is not possible to clearly determine visual acuity and refraction in case of accommodation spasm, because she hesitates. But, having dripped atropine for 5 days and, having found normal acuity and refraction, after atropinization, it is possible to diagnose accommodation spasm. The doctor will prescribe treatment to relieve this spasm and refer you to a neurologist for consultation.

With a mild and moderate degree of myopia in a child, the symptoms are the same as with accommodation spasm, but it is constant. With skiascopy, myopic refraction is determined, and vision improves only with negative glasses. Often such children squint, which somewhat improves distance vision. With a high degree of myopia and with myopic disease, vision, as a rule, is significantly reduced, especially if complications have appeared; also, the child may notice the presence of "floating flies" in front of his eyes, which may indicate possible availability destruction of the vitreous body.

A child suffering from myopia should be registered with an ophthalmologist and observed once every 6 months. In this case, the doctor compares the results of the examination with the results of previous examinations. At mild myopia(up to 3.0 diopters) fundus changes are minimal, only sometimes you can see the myopic cone at the optic nerve head. At medium- fundus changes are more pronounced: retinal vessels are narrowed, there may be initial dystrophic changes, pigment deposits, initial changes in the macular region, myopic cones or staphylomas. At high degree of myopia changes are even more pronounced, up to extensive retinal atrophy and detachment.

If during the year myopia increased by 0.5-1.0 diopters, then this is slowly progressive myopia, if by 1.0 diopters or more, then this is rapidly progressing myopia. On average, the progression begins at the age of 6 and ends at 18. The progression of myopia can lead to irreversible changes in the fundus, leading to significant deterioration and even complete loss of vision. With the rapid progression of myopia, the posterior pole of the eye lengthens, while the retina lining the eye from the inside is not as elastic as the sclera, it stretches to a certain point, and then, against the background of dystrophic changes and thinning, breaks appear and later its detachment can occur. When the retina is stretched, the vessels are stretched as well. They become defective, unable to provide the retina with nutrients and oxygen. Due to stretching, they become very brittle and as a result, hemorrhages occur. Also, changes are taking place in vitreous- floating flakes appear, its structure changes, later detachment of the vitreous body may occur, which is often a harbinger of retinal detachment. This myopia is also called myopic disease. If you suspect progressive myopia, it is necessary to periodically (every 6 months) repeat the ultrasound of the eyes to assess the course of the disease.

Treatment of myopia in children

Treatment of myopia depends on its degree, progression and complications. The main task of treatment is to stop or slow down the progression of the disease, prevent the occurrence of complications, and correct vision. It is impossible to cure myopia in children. Special attention should be addressed to progressive myopia. The earlier treatment is started, the more chances the child has of retaining vision. An increase in myopia by no more than 0.5 diopters per year is permissible.

In the treatment of myopia, all methods are used in combination, which gives the best result. So physiotherapeutic treatment, optical exercises are combined with drug treatment, and with a high degree or with the progression of myopia and with surgery.

First of all, the doctor selects glasses. Prescribing glasses is not a treatment, it is only a vision correction for greater patient comfort. But with myopic disease, glasses slightly reduce progression, by reducing eye strain. Therefore, when detecting congenital myopia, glasses should be prescribed as early as possible. With mild and moderate myopia, glasses are prescribed for the distance, there is no need to wear them all the time. If the child feels comfortable without glasses (this mainly concerns a weak degree), then you do not need to force him to wear them. With a high degree of myopia, as well as with progressive, glasses are prescribed for constant wear. This is especially important when a child develops a divergent squint to prevent the development of amblyopia. In addition to glasses, older children can use contact lenses This is especially true when there is a large difference in refraction (more than 2.0 diopters) between the eyes, the so-called anisometropia.

The orthokeratological method consists in periodically wearing special lenses that change the shape of the cornea, flattening it. But this effect lasts only for 1-2 days, after which the shape of the cornea is restored.

Also, in case of a weak degree of myopia, so-called “relaxing” glasses can be prescribed - these are glasses with weakly positive lenses that contribute to the relaxation of accommodation. In addition, there are computer programs that relax accommodation, which can be used at home.

A good effect is given by training the ciliary muscle. In this case, positive and negative lenses are substituted to the eye alternately.
Non-drug treatment of all types of myopia includes adherence to a restorative regimen, walks in the fresh air, swimming, a regime of visual activity, a balanced diet, rich in vitamins and microelements and eye exercises (exercises with lenses, exercise “mark on glass”).

A good effect is provided by electrophoresis with dibazol or with a myopic mixture (calcium chloride, diphenhydramine, novocaine), reflexology.

There are such glasses - laser vision, which somewhat improve distance vision when wearing them. The essence is the same as when squinting with myopia, but therapeutic effect they don't.

Also, with myopia, in combination with non-drug, drug treatment is prescribed. With a mild degree of myopia, vitamin-mineral complexes are prescribed, especially those containing lutein (okuwait lutein, vitrum vision or any others).

Calcium preparations, vitamins contribute to the prevention of progression and the appearance of complications. a nicotinic acid(both tablets and injections), trental. But vasodilator drugs should not be prescribed in the presence of hemorrhage. With initial dystrophy, askorutin, dicinone, vicasol, trental, emoxipin are prescribed - these drugs help to improve blood circulation in the retina, thereby slowing down the dystrophic process. When pathological foci are formed, absorbable drugs (collalizin, fibrinolysin, lidaza) are prescribed.

When complications appear or with rapid progression, surgical treatment is performed - scleroplasty. The indications for this operation are: myopia 4.0 diopters and above, amenable to correction, rapidly progressing (more than 1 diopters per year), with a sharp increase in the anteroposterior size of the eye and in the absence of complications in the fundus. The essence of the operation is not only to strengthen the posterior pole of the eye, to prevent further stretching of the sclera, but also to improve its blood supply. To do this, either the graft is sutured to the posterior pole, or a liquid suspension from the crushed tissue is injected into the posterior pole of the eye. The grafts can be donor sclera, collagen or silicone. But it does not lead to recovery, but only reduces the progression and improves the blood supply to the structures of the eye.

Nowadays, laser surgery is also widely used. In the treatment of myopia, it is especially effective in preventing retinal tears and detachment from occurring when the disease progresses rapidly. In this case, the retina is “soldered” in places of its thinning and around existing breaks. Retinal detachment is also an indication for surgery.

If the child has an average, high degree of myopia or myopic disease, then a visit to a special kindergarten... Children at risk should undergo periodic examinations by an ophthalmologist in order to detect and prevent the progression of myopia as early as possible. For any degree of myopia, see an ophthalmologist every 6 months.

From an early age, children need to be taught to “read correctly”: the distance from eyes to books (pictures, toys) should be at least 30 cm; to correct posture. The height of the table (desks), chair must correspond to the height of the child. Adequate and adequate lighting of the workplace is essential. Due attention should be paid to the physical education of children. Nutrition should be complete and varied.

With myopia, it is necessary to change glasses in a timely manner, because excessive stress of accommodation contributes to the progression of myopia. It is imperative to do eye exercises at home. Here is a set of exercises for the ciliary muscle according to Avetisov:

1. Circular eye movements to the right and left.
2. Eye movements up, right, left, diagonally.
3. Light pressure with three fingers on the upper eyelid with the eyes closed.
4. Strong shutting of eyes.
5. A round mark with a diameter of 3-5 mm is glued to the glass. A person stands at a distance of 30-35 cm from the window, outside the window fixes with his gaze an object (house, tree, etc.) for 1-2 seconds, then the gaze is shifted for 1-2 seconds. at the mark on the glass, then look back. This exercise must be repeated at least 2 times a day from 3 minutes at the beginning of the course to 7 minutes at the end. Repeat courses monthly. The duration of the course is 10-15 days.

High degrees of myopia, and especially in the presence of complications, are a contraindication to active sports, running, jumping and any exercises with body shaking are prohibited. Children with this diagnosis are assigned a special set of physical exercises.

Forecast

Weak and moderate myopia that occurs at school age, as a rule, does not progress and does not lead to complications. She corrects well with glasses. The prognosis for her is quite favorable. With high degrees of myopia, visual acuity, even after correction with lenses, remains reduced. With congenital and progressive myopia, and with the occurrence of pathological changes in the fundus and in the vitreous, the prognosis for vision worsens. It is especially unfavorable in the case of changes in the central area of the retina - in the macular area, when vision deteriorates significantly. In the absence of myopia correction, divergent strabismus may appear.

If myopia has stabilized, then after 2 years you can perform refractive surgery and get rid of glasses. But this only applies to patients over 18 years of age. Refractive surgery is now very common. Doctors already have enough experience in this area, plus the medical equipment is also being improved, so these operations are now popular among those suffering from myopia, especially since they are painless and safe.

Doctor ophthalmologist Odnoochko E.A.

Almost a third of high school students suffer. Doctors-ophthalmologists even gave the unofficial name of this pathology - "school myopia."

The reason why myopia occurs in school-age children is understandable. it increased load, which the child's eyes receive when he begins to learn. Moreover, eye strain arises not only in school lessons, but also at home, during the preparation of homework. In connection with the urgency of this problem, many parents and teachers are concerned about the methods of combating this pathology and how to prevent it.

The mechanism of myopia

The problem of myopia is very well studied by doctors. The mechanism of development of this pathology is also known. Children with myopia have a good view of those objects that are near. But with those objects that are far away, problems arise: there is no clarity of the image.

The physiological reason for this problem may lie in the state of the eyeball. It is either elongated or its cornea refracts the image too much. Such violations lead to the fact that the picture is not focused on the retina, as it should be normally, but in front of it. Due to such violations, the child cannot clearly see objects in the distance.

Causes of school myopia

The eyeball can have a deformed shape due to a genetic predisposition. Such a pathology also arises as a result of large visual loads that take place in the process of schooling.

Of course, myopia can be detected in children of any age. However, most often such a pathology occurs during the school period (from seven to fourteen years). Moreover, not only those children who have genetic predisposition... Myopia is also detected in completely healthy schoolchildren.

The reasons for myopia at such a young age are not only increased training loads, which are real stress for the not yet strengthened visual organs. Modern children enjoy a lot mobile phones, play computer games with enthusiasm and spend a lot of time in front of the TV screen. How does all this affect the eyes? In normal condition visual system well perceives objects that are from the child at a distance. But in order to see nearby objects, the eye must strain, using its focusing apparatus (to change the shape of the lens by deforming muscular system). But what happens with frequent and prolonged exertion? The muscles cease to relax and take their original position.

Ophthalmologists call this phenomenon "accommodation spasm". Symptoms of pathology are similar to those that occur when myopia occurs. That is why it is also called false myopia. This pathology occurs due to:

Poor lighting of the workplace; - violations of the tone of the cervical and back muscles; - not correct diet food; - significant load on visual organs due to their prolonged focus on objects located at a short distance; - long stay at the computer; - violations in psychological sphere; - non-observance of the rules of eye hygiene; - wrong daily routine.

False myopia in school-aged children is curable. It should only be revealed in time this pathology and take all appropriate measures to get rid of it. Otherwise, the eye will have to adapt to new conditions for it, which in most cases leads to true anatomical myopia.

Myopia symptoms

Determining myopia at school age can be very difficult. Many children simply cannot decide how well they can see. Even when it leads to a decline in academic performance, true reason sometimes they simply cannot explain the appearance of bad marks in the diary.

Parents may suspect the appearance of myopia in a child if he:

Frowns or squints when looking into the distance; - often complains of headaches; - keeps textbooks and other objects very close to the face; Blinks frequently or rubs eyes.

What to do if school myopia appears?

What measures should parents take if their child has the first signs of myopia? First of all, you should take your child to a doctor. A specialist will select a correction for this disease and prescribe the necessary therapy.

If myopia is found in school-age children, the treatment of this pathology should take place depending on its degree. When prescribing a course, the doctor will also take into account the complications and progression of myopia.

Parents need to be aware of what to completely eliminate this problem it is forbidden. The most important task of therapy will be to stop the pathology or slow down its progression. It also includes vision correction and prevention of complications.

It is especially important to pay close attention school myopia having a progressive form. It occurs when the child's vision falls by more than half a diopter per year. Timely started treatment for such a pathology will give more chances for preserving vision.

Correction of myopia

If myopia is found in school-aged children, treatment begins with the selection of glasses. This will allow you to correct your vision. By and large, this cannot be called treatment. However, points in childhood reduce the progression of myopia. It does this by eliminating eye strain.

If myopia is mild to moderate in school-aged children, treatment with glasses should not consist of wearing them all the time. They are only recommended for the distance. But it happens that the child feels quite comfortable even without glasses. In this case, you shouldn't make them wear them.

The child may have a high degree of myopia or its progressive form. In this case, constant wearing of glasses is recommended. This is especially true when a student develops a divergent strabismus. The glasses will help prevent amblyopia.

Older children can use contact lenses. They are especially relevant in case of anisometropia, when there is a large difference in refraction between the eyes (more than 2 diopters).

Orthokeratological method

What other ways can there be to eliminate pathology if myopia is found in school-age children? Treatment is sometimes carried out using the orthokeratological method. It provides for the child to wear special lenses. These adaptations reshape the cornea, making it flatter. However, it should be borne in mind that with this method, the elimination of pathology is possible only within one or two days. The cornea then regains its shape.

Use of special tools

What other ways are there to eliminate pathology if myopia is found in school-age children? Treatment can be carried out with “relaxing glasses”. They have weakly positive lenses. This allows you to reduce accommodation.

Doctors have also developed one more glasses. They are called "laser vision". Such glasses slightly improve vision in the distance, but they do not have a therapeutic effect. If myopia occurs in school-age children, treatment at home can be carried out with the help of special computer programs... They relax the eye muscles and relieve their spasms.

There are also a large number of hardware methods for treating myopia. These include vacuum massage and electrical stimulation, infrared laser therapy, etc.

Preparations for getting rid of myopia

What medication is myopia treated in school children? Preparations for getting rid of this pathology should be prescribed by a doctor in conjunction with the implementation of special exercises, as well as adherence to the correct diet and daily regimen.

With a weak degree of the disease, complexes consisting of mineral substances and vitamins. It is good if such preparations contain lutein. Vitamin and mineral complexes are of great importance in eliminating myopia in children, as they will warn further development pathology and reduce the likelihood of complications. Sometimes a specialist prescribes calcium preparations and Trental

One of the causes of myopia can be retinal dystrophy. How, then, to treat myopia in school-age children? Tablets to eliminate this phenomenon should act on the vessels of the retina, improving blood circulation in them. This effect is provided by the drugs "Vikasol", "Emoxicin", "Ditsinon" and others. However, it should be borne in mind that they are not prescribed for existing hemorrhages.

In the case when, with myopia, the formation of pathological foci occurs, absorbent drugs are used. These can be drugs such as Lidaza and Fibrinolysin.

The use of medicines for false myopia

In the case when a schoolchild's myopia is associated with a spasm of the ocular ciliary muscle, it becomes necessary to relax it. In this case, the ophthalmologist prescribes special drops for the child. Moreover, their use should be combined with the performance of visual exercises.

Relaxing drops contain atropine. This substance is found in the leaves and seeds of some plants and is a poisonous alkaloid. Preparations with atropine increase intraocular pressure. They lead to the fact that accommodation paralysis occurs. In other words, there is a change in focal length. The paralysis caused by the action of the drug lasts for 4-6 hours, after which the muscle relaxes.

The course of such treatment usually lasts for a month. In this case, a drug such as Irifrin can be used, which alternates with Midrialil or Tropicamide.

Surgery

With progressive myopia, as well as with the development various complications corrective therapy will not be able to cope with the pathology. In such cases, scleroplasty is used, which is one of the methods surgical treatment... It is based on rapidly worsening myopia (more than one diopter per year). As a result of the operation, the posterior pole of the eye is strengthened and its blood circulation is improved.

What else can be applied to eliminate myopia in school-age children, treatment? Experts' reviews highly appreciate the possibilities of laser surgery. This method will be especially effective in progressive disease as a measure to prevent retinal detachment and retinal tears.

Gymnastics for the eyes

In order to stop myopia in a child, it is necessary to use complex therapy, which, in addition to taking medicines should include and non-drug methods... One of them is eye gymnastics. Correct selection exercise allows you to strengthen the muscles and exercise constant control over their condition. Moreover, such a complex is effective not only as a treatment, but also for the prevention of myopia.

And here you can use the exercises recommended by Zhdanov. This Russian scientist and public figure is known as the author of the technique for restoring vision without surgery. In his methods, he combined some of the touches from the practice of yogis and the development of Bates.

How, when using such a method, should myopia be eliminated in school-age children? Treatment according to Zhdanov involves the use of a complex, which includes:

Palming (placing palms on closed eyes); - exercises with blinking; - relaxation with closed eyes with visualization of pleasant memories; - Exercise "Snake", in which you should guide your eyes along an imaginary sinusoid; - solarization, that is, a short-term stop of gaze at a candle in a dark room.

Healthy foods

How should treatment be carried out in order to eliminate myopia in school-age children? Nutrition along with the therapy should include foods rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Chromium and copper, zinc and magnesium are especially important for eyes. It is also advisable to consume foods rich in vitamins A and D.

Thus, to treat myopia, you need to eat:

Black and gray bread, as well as its varieties with bran; - meat of poultry, rabbit, as well as lamb and beef; - seafood; - dairy, vegetarian and fish soups; - vegetables (fresh, colored, seafood and sauerkraut, broccoli and beets, young green pea, bell peppers and carrots); - buckwheat, oatmeal, dark pasta; - dairy products; - eggs; - prunes, figs, dried apricots, raisins; - vegetable fats in the form of flaxseed, olive and mustard oil; - green tea, compotes, fresh juices, jelly; - fresh berries and fruits (peaches and sea buckthorn, melon and apricot, black and red currants, tangerines and grapefruits, oranges and chokeberry).

Meals should consist of small portions, which are consumed six times a day.

How else can you eliminate myopia in school-age children? Treatment with folk remedies can also be very effective, but it should be carried out in combination with exercise and the use of foods rich in medicinal substances.

You can save a child from myopia with the help of herbs. To prepare a healing potion, a decoction is prepared from 15-20 grams of leaves and fruits of red mountain ash and 30 grams of dioecious nettle. The ingredients are poured into 400 ml warm water, simmer for a quarter of an hour and insist for 2 hours. Take half a glass warm 15 minutes before meals three times during the day.

Also, blueberries are great for and its prevention. This berry contains a lot of manganese and other substances that are good for the eyes.

With myopia, your child can be helped by means in the formulation of which needles are included. It is harvested in September, so that healing decoctions can then be taken throughout the winter.

Nearsightedness, otherwise called myopia, is a fairly common visual impairment in which objects that are closer are seen better than those that are far away. Myopia is often found in school-age children; it is during school years that most people are diagnosed with this disease.

Most often, the first signs of myopia can be detected as early as 9 - 12 years old, by the eldest adolescence myopia is completely formed. Vision will continue to decline with age, however, with the right treatment, the rate of fall can be reduced. Children's myopia is usually divided into several types, depending on the type, the most suitable correction is selected:

weak, vision has fallen by less than three diopters;
medium, visual impairment is in the range of 3 - 6 diopters;
strong, in which vision falls by more than six diopters.

In addition, there are two types of myopia according to the speed of visual impairment. With progressive myopia, vision is constantly deteriorating, sometimes by several diopters per year. When stationary, vision decreases to a certain point, after which it no longer worsens.

It is believed that children at school age are especially prone to myopia. Due to the strain on the eyes at school during lessons and after, during cooking homework, the likelihood of developing myopia increases. Especially if the rules of prevention are not followed, without special gymnastics for the eyes, the correct light regime.

Therefore, at school age, it is advisable to especially monitor the health of the child's eyes, follow the rules for the prevention of eye disorders, and periodically visit an ophthalmologist. Otherwise, vision can fall really badly, it will take a lot of time and effort to restore it.

Important! If signs of myopia appear in a child, an ophthalmologist should be visited at least once every six months - a year.

Symptoms

At the initial stages of the disease, the child himself or his parents may not notice the development of myopia, often violations are detected during an examination by an ophthalmologist during a school medical examination. However, it is worth paying attention to following signs developing myopia:

With myopia, the child does not see well into the distance, while near vision remains quite clear and weakly deteriorates.
The contours of objects look blurry, indistinct.
In general, sharpness decreases, and it may feel as if objects located in the distance are merging.

These are the main symptoms of myopia. Outwardly, the parent may notice that the child begins to squint a lot in an attempt to consider something, always bends low over a sheet of paper when writing or drawing. The child may stop noticing little things, especially in the distance. When these signs appear, an urgent need to contact an ophthalmologist.

Causes

There can be several reasons for the onset of myopia at school age, in some cases they are combined and can affect each other. The main factors in the occurrence of myopia in children are called:

Heredity. It has been proven that the tendency to this eye disease can be hereditary. If the parents of the child have myopia, it is highly likely that the baby will develop it. V this case it is recommended to start placing an ophthalmologist from the very beginning of school in order to track possible deterioration in time.
Other eye diseases. If other eye pathologies were present in childhood, the likelihood of myopia in the student increases.
Excessive eye strain. The main reason for the development of myopia in school-age children, at school, the eyes are strained especially often. If a child constantly strains his eyes, the rate of vision decline may begin to increase.
Improper nutrition in children. For normal functioning the eyes and the child's body as a whole in the diet requires certain useful vitamins and minerals: zinc, magnesium, calcium and others. With their deficiency, the likelihood of developing eye diseases increases.
Violations of working and rest conditions in a child. If the light is not positioned correctly when reading or writing, the child is doing homework or drawing in an uncomfortable, unsuitable position for this, the likelihood of developing myopia becomes higher.

It is also worth noting that computers, smartphones, tablets and other modern technology can affect visual acuity. It is advisable for children, especially younger schoolchildren, to limit the time of using such things; when working with them, you need to take breaks for rest and exercise for the eyes.

Important! In most cases, the development of myopia can be avoided altogether.

Nearsightedness: curable or not

In general, it can be completely corrected using laser vision correction, but it should be borne in mind that it is not performed in children under eighteen years of age. Research shows that in early age the effect of laser correction is too short-lived.

Therefore, it is impossible to completely get rid of myopia in a school-age child. However, with properly selected treatment and a combination of a complex of various means, it is possible to achieve stability of vision, it will not fall harder. Optical correction plays an important role: with the help of glasses or contact lenses.

Contrary to common misconception, wearing glasses does not impair vision even more, on the contrary, correctly selected glasses will help stop it from falling. The main thing is to choose the right diopters, this should be done after full examination at the ophthalmologist.

Treatment methods

There are several different methods correction of vision for myopia. In children, not neglected degrees of the disease respond well to treatment at home after a full examination by a specialist.

Optical correction

Oftentimes, the selection of suitable glasses or lenses is the main aspect of therapy. Lenses are prescribed for children less often, glasses are preferred. Correctly selected diopters will help stop further deterioration of vision.

However, it should be borne in mind that the type of glasses usually depends on the degree of the disease. Usually, with mild to moderate myopia, glasses are required, which should not be worn constantly, only during eye strain. Severe myopia often requires regular glasses.

Drops

With myopia, eye drops containing vitamins and substances that help relax and nourish the eye may be prescribed. Some of them strengthen and protect the cornea and retina from negative influences. You should not start taking such drops on your own, you should consult your doctor.

Examples of drops used in the treatment of myopia: Emoxipin, Quinax, Okovit and others.

Physiotherapy and gymnastics for the eyes

In addition to drops and means for correcting vision, they use external methods physiotherapy that improve blood flow and muscle tone to the eye muscles. Vacuum massage, laser therapy, electrophoresis and other techniques can be used.

In addition to physiotherapy, eye gymnastics is important, which helps to strengthen the eye muscles, which may cease to function correctly with myopia. There are several different techniques, it is easy to choose the most suitable one for each individual case.

Nutrition

It should be borne in mind that with the help of nutrition, vision cannot be corrected, correct diet will improve the condition of the body as a whole and help prevent further deterioration.

Treatment according to Zhdanov

Professor Zhdanov, who wrote a book on the restoration of vision, offers his own scheme for dealing with myopia. The bottom line is the idea that most eye problems are due to inadequate eye muscle tone. The basis of Zhdanov's scheme is exercises for the eyes according to W. Bates.

In addition to exercises, Zhdanov considers it important to use the Shichko ladder and purification from negative programs. Negative thoughts can influence physical health, therefore, special psychological practices are required for a full recovery. Zhdanov also suggests the use of propolis, blueberries and others folk remedies improving vision.

Treatment with folk remedies

It is impossible to restore visual acuity with the help of traditional medicines, but they can help prevent further deterioration. Majority folk remedies is aimed at relaxing the eyes and nourishing the body with vitamins.

To restore the required amount of vitamins, it is recommended to mix two glasses with a glass of honey, place the finished mixture in freezer... There is this remedy three tablespoons twice a day.

In general, if all the doctor's recommendations are followed and a suitable regime of rest and work for the eyes is observed, vision with myopia will no longer decrease. Myopia in children is a fairly common problem, and today it is being dealt with quite effectively.

According to statistics, approximately 80% of children are born with good distance vision and poor near vision, that is, hyperopic. This is due to the fact that newborns have a short anteroposterior axis of the eyeball. Over time, during the growth of the child and, accordingly, the eyeball, hyperopia decreases. However, in some children, it develops into myopia ().

Congenital myopia in children

Ophthalmologists usually associate congenital myopia in children with heredity, pathological processes or having a baby prematurely. It should be noted that congenital myopia is most often not characterized by significant changes in.

Congenital myopia in most cases has a stable course. However, in some cases, there may be a progression of the process. Naturally, children with congenital myopia require more careful attention from ophthalmologists and should be regularly examined to monitor the disease over time. Usually, experts recommend starting optical correction as early as possible.

Myopia, or myopia, in children is a disease in which the child does not see well objects that are at a certain distance from him. This is because parallel rays of light that emanate from distant objects converge into focus not on, but in a plane in front of it, which leads to a decrease in visual acuity. In most cases, this is due to a too long anteroposterior axis. The result of the irregular elongated shape of the eyeball is impaired refraction of light, which is why there is a deterioration in distance vision.

In ophthalmology, there are three degrees of myopia:

up to 3D (diopter) - weak degree;
from 3.25 D to 6.0 D - medium degree;
more than 6 D - high degree.

A high degree of myopia in children can manifest itself in more significant values: 20-30 diopters and above.

Children with myopia need distance glasses. In addition, near-sighted glasses are also required for children with myopia over 5 diopters. However, glasses do not always correct visual acuity to the optimal level. The reason for this is dystrophic changes in the membranes of the affected eye.

There are several reasons that contribute to the onset of myopia in children:

heredity,
primary weakness
weak,
violation of visual hygiene,
external environment,
frequent use of a computer, watching TV,
improper nutrition,
various diseases,
overwork.

The most common cause of myopia is a change in the eyeball - lengthening of the anteroposterior axis.

Treatment of congenital myopia in children

In the treatment of myopia in children, many methods and means are used. The primary therapy for myopia is not aimed at reducing the degree of the disease, but at stopping or slowing down its progression as much as possible, as well as preventing complications.

Ophthalmologists say that a favorable course of myopia in children is a decrease in visual acuity by 0.5 diopters per year, no more. In this case, the disease is treated in conservative ways. Wearing glasses is recommended, regular eye rest, visual gymnastics, observance of eye hygiene, as well as proper nutrition and healthy sleep.

Many ophthalmology clinics offer patients various treatment programs for myopia in children. The program includes diagnostics and treatment using therapeutic methods. Also, clinics offer to create programs for classes at home, while explaining to parents how to check their eyesight at home. The process of passing the program is under the supervision of a doctor and, if necessary, can be adjusted.

Modern clinics are equipped with a whole range of the latest equipment for the correction of myopia. Children are diagnosed and treated according to specially developed game programs. Therapeutic methods are also used: laser correction, ultrasound and infrared therapy, electrical stimulation, vacuum massage. These therapies are recognized and used all over the world.

Laser infrared therapy

During the laser correction, infrared radiation acts on the eye at a close distance. This normalizes the trophism of the eye tissues, and also removes, which is one of the main reasons for the development of myopia. In addition, the device for laser infrared therapy performs a "physiological massage" of the ciliary muscle, which is responsible for the normal accommodation of the eyes.

Vacuum massage

Vacuum massage is performed using an alternating vacuum. This procedure improves the hydrodynamics of the eyes, and also increases the blood supply, which normalizes the work of the ciliary muscle.

Laser therapy

Laser therapy is used to improve spatial vision and accommodation function. The principle of the procedure is to submit laser radiation on a display located 10 cm from the eyes. The therapeutic effect of the procedure occurs by observing the change in the images appearing on the screen, stimulating the work nerve cells retina of the eye.

Electrostimulation

This procedure is the effect of a dosed low-intensity electric current. It increases the conduction of nerve impulses in visual analyzer... The electrostimulation procedure is absolutely painless.

"Ambliokor"

The specialized complex "Ambliokor" is designed for the treatment of myopia. It was created by specialists from the Institute of the Brain. The operation of the device is based on the method of video-computer auto-training. When a child watches cartoons, the device reads information about the functioning of the organs of vision and at the same time records the encephalogram of the brain using special sensors. In this case, the picture on the display will appear only with the "correct" vision of the child, and disappear when it becomes indistinct. This is how the device makes the child's brain consciously reduce the periods of low-contrast vision. This procedure normalizes the functioning of neurons. visual cortex, while vision is significantly improved.

It should be noted that the treatment program for each child is drawn up individually. His age is taken into account, general state health and psycho-emotional status. It is important to take treatment very seriously: you must not miss scheduled examinations and procedures. This approach not only helps to eliminate the problem, but also gives the patient's parents a guarantee that their child will not get sick again when they grow up.

Ophthalmic surgery for children with myopia

Surgical treatment is used in cases where the disease progresses at a rate of 1 diopter per year and normal development of vision is excluded. The use of the operation is carried out with the development of complications - dystrophic foci in the retina. The aim of the operation is to strengthen the posterior segment of the sclera and activate the metabolism in the shell of the eyeball.

Parents need to know

V different countries the world, and sometimes within one country, the number of children with myopia varies considerably. In different regions Russian Federation myopia in children is detected in the range from 2.5 to 13.8%. The peak age period for the development of myopia in children is 10-12 years. However, in recent decades, the number of children with myopia has begun to rise in the lower grades.

According to statistics, the number of children with myopia is increasing in northern latitudes. And the number of children with myopia in the villages is much less than in the city. This trend can be explained by the nutritional conditions, the peculiarities of the light regime, the time the child is in the fresh air, the intensity and regularity of sports, the amount of visual stress.

How to identify congenital myopia in a child

Any disease in the early stages is much easier to cure. This also applies to myopia. Children cannot complain to their parents about poor eyesight, because they do not understand the difference between poor eyesight and good. Therefore, parents need to carefully observe the behavior of the child. If the child quickly gets tired while reading, bends low over books and notebooks, often blinks and rubs his eyes, complains about headache, it is necessary to urgently consult an ophthalmologist. It must be remembered that only a doctor can diagnose the disease in a timely manner and prescribe adequate treatment.

Prevention of myopia in children

In addition to visiting a doctor, parents need to be engaged in the prevention of harmful visual habits of their children. It is necessary to teach the child to sit at the table correctly when he does his homework. The correct and even incidence of light on the table should be controlled, while the child's face and head should be in the shade. The most acceptable option is to use a table lamp with the overhead light on. Compliance with these rules is especially important in the dark. Avoid tilting the baby's head too close to the object. The optimal distance for visual activity is 30 cm. In this case, it is necessary to remove all glare objects from the field of view. One of the provocateurs of the development of myopia is bad habit reading lying down. When working at a desk, breaks every 30 minutes, and for primary school children, every 20 minutes. During the break, you can do eye exercises, have a snack or just relax.