School Myopia

At school, a child’s risk of becoming nearsighted increases by 10 times!

According to statistics, every fifth student in Ukraine suffers from myopia, and most of them acquired this disorder in school. Notably, the first school year is the most dangerous for a child’s eyesight. What should we do to prevent childhood myopia?

The root cause of the eye disorder is excessive eye strain. At home a child is their own boss: if the eyes are tired – they are free to run to the kitchen, talk with their grandma, go for a walk. But at school they are not allowed to leave the classroom and be distracted. In the classroom, the child is slouching over their book or notebook. In this position they are straining their neck, which leads to poor circulation, which in its turn affects blood vessels of the eyes.

Five warning signs that must alert parents:

• their child is sitting too close to the TV;
• holds a book too close to their eyes;
• keeps squinting;
• slouches over their notebook;
• an indirect sign of this eye problem may be the decline of academic performance – perhaps your offspring simply can`t see what is written on the blackboard, but feels ashamed to ask the teacher.
• the child suddenly ceased to see little numbers and objects, for example, temperature readings on a street thermometer, time on a distant clock;
• in the evening their eyes get red, they keep rubbing them and may complain of a headache. This is so called asthenopia – tired eye syndrome. And even though the visual acuity can still be normal, there is a possibility that it may begin to decline at any moment;
• there are changes in the child’s handwriting, e.g. with the development of astigmatism, letters in their notebook become very slanted.

If you notice at least two or three of these signs, consult the eye doctor!

Risk Factors

Almost everyone knows that a computer, TV and electronic gadgets are associated with reduced visual acuity. But they are not the only cause of poor vision. There are a number of other factors that contribute to the development of early-onset myopia:

• The risk group includes children of two parents with myopia. If both Dad and Mom have myopia, there is a high likelihood that their child will be myopic, too. At risk are premature babies or children who were exposed to complications shortly before or during birth (for example, to hypoxia – oxygen starvation).
• Often parents try to teach their kid how to read or (what is much worse) how to use a computer or game consoles as early as possible. Such adults do not understand that the child’s visual system has not yet “matured” enough for this kind of activity. Both educators and doctors advise against allowing children to increase eye strain (especially focus on near objects) before they turn 5-6, by which age the eyes are almost done developing.
• Another important factor which negatively affects eyesight of children of different age groups is a tendency for hypodynamia (low physical activity) and obesity, which increases from year to year. It is the cause of poor blood circulation, including that in the retina and in the optic nerve.
• By the age of 10 a lot of children have scoliosis (curvature of the spine), which greatly affects the blood supply of the head, and hence the eyes.
• As the modern food system contains a lot of fats, refined carbohydrates (sugars), artificial colors, today`s kids are more overweight than they were 20-30 years ago. And excess weight can cause, among other things, declining eyesight, because it leads to poor circulation, puts extra strain on the back and aggravates the hypodynamia syndrome.

Minimizing Risks

• – Strengthen your child’s health to minimize their chances of getting ill. The children who often catch cold as well as those who suffer from allergies have poor blood flow to their eyes, their sclera becomes malleable and easily stretches when they strain the eyes.
• – Swimming, skiing, exercises with dumbbells – everything that develops the shoulder girdle musculature increases blood flow to the eyes, among other things. Children with hereditary nearsightedness are much less likely to develop high myopia if they engage in swimming. Sessions of back massage and massage of the neck-collar zone are also very beneficial.
• – Long walks are good for health. First of all, when a child is outdoors, they are more physically active, which is very good for their blood circulation. Secondly, they have more opportunities to look into the distance and strengthen muscles in the eyes, which effect it is impossible to achieve indoors, and this ultimately results in vision loss. Whenever possible and especially when their eyes are tired – after classes, after using a computer, reading – ask the child to look into the distance and, for example, when they are looking out the window, ask them to describe in fine details any distant object.
• – Let your child eat foods that are good for eye health. The eyes are in need of vitamins – first of all A, C, D, E and others. The sclera – the outer shell of the eyeball – needs calcium to be strong (it can be found in dairy products). In any season of the year there should be fruits, vegetable salads on your table. To maintain good vision one should eat butter, cod liver, eggs, nuts, carrots, beans, oatmeal, buckwheat and meat.

Ideally, a first grader, even they have no complaints, should visit an eye doctor after the first six months of the year and at the end of the school year. But if warning signs have appeared, a comprehensive eye examination is required.

For students of all ages, a routine eye check-up is provided at least once a year, even if they had no eye problems before. But if an eye problem was found and properly diagnosed, such children should have their eyes checked every 6 months.

Eye and vision problems detected in time can usually be reversed.

At Okomedikas Clinic the most advanced diagnostic equipment and highly qualified personnel are always at your service.