Nearsightedness is a visual defect consisting in a deterioration of long distance vision acuity with good near acuity. It is related to the excessive elongation of the eyeball, as a result of which the light rays focus in front of the retina and not on it, and as a result the resulting image is out of focus. It is corrected with two-concave glasses, the so-called “Minus” that “shift” image formation onto the retina.
Myopia – a global problem
Worldwide myopia is now reaching epidemic proportions – it is already being hit 1,6 billion people including 900 million high nearsightedness (over 6 diopters). It is estimated that by 2050, half of the world’s population will have this drawback. It appears in children, most often in early school age, and may develop until the end of the growth period, i.e. even up to the age of 25. High myopia (over 6 diopters) causes serious eye diseases such as retinal detachment and macular diseases, glaucoma, cataracts. These complications may appear even in cases of low myopia (below -3 diopters), and their risk increases with the development of this visual defect, and the most complications occur in children with myopia above -10 diopters. They can lead to significant visual impairment and visual impairment. Research in recent years has shown that it is possible to inhibit the occurrence of myopia and its progression by various methods.
Factors influencing the development of myopia
The search for factors influencing its occurrence and development is still ongoing. It is known that these are both genetic and environmental factors. The genetic factors are illustrated by the fact that myopia is more common among children with myopic parents, and monozygotic twins are more often at the same time short-sighted than fraternal twins. On the other hand, it has been observed that this visual impairment occurs more often in children living in cities than in the countryside, and that it is more common in girls. In the last two decades, many risk factors have been learned, most of which are of a civilization nature. For example, it has been proven that the development of this defect is influenced by excessive visual activity up close at a young age. These include activities such as reading, writing, computer work, but also the use of a mobile phone and other electronic devices. In recent years, it has been emphasized that the factors related to the development of civilization, including earlier education and the increasing pressure and expectations of adults, including parents and teachers, have an impact on the increase in myopia in increasingly younger children. In addition, the development of technology and the widespread availability of devices such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and their increasingly frequent use for study, work and leisure, have shortened the time spent outdoors. Children spend time outside of school playing computer games or using social networking sites, so they use their eyes at close range, which causes excessive contraction of the ciliary muscle and may initiate myopia. More information is available on the website: www.miopia.pl
The Okulistyka 21 Foundation (www.okulistyka21.pl) conducts eye tests for children in kindergartens and schools. If you want the test to be carried out in a selected facility, write us an e-mail: [email protected]
We also provide consultations on the treatment of myopia in children. Registration: [email protected]
Authors:
prof. dr hab. med. Andrzej Grzybowski, Okulistyka 21 Foundation, Institute of Ophthalmology Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn
MSc. Aleksandra Lemanik, Ophthalmology Foundation 21
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Material realized as part of the project Educational campaign “Myopia – development of knowledge about myopia” co-financed by the Ministry of Education and Science under the Social Responsibility of Science program under the SONP / SN / 512386/2021 contract.
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