How are they different?
- Nearsightedness (myopia): the eye is too long, the image is focused in front of the retina. It's hard to see from a distance, but up close it's good. Corrected with negative lenses
- Farsightedness (hypermetropia): the eye is short, the focus is behind the retina. In young people it is often compensated by tension, hence fatigue and headaches; With age, vision deteriorates both near and far. Corrected with plus lenses
- Astigmatism: uneven curvature of the cornea or lens, the image is distorted at all distances. Corrected with cylindrical lenses
- Presbyopia: age-related weakening of accommodation after 40–45 years, due to which the text has to be moved away. This is the norm, not a disease
Childhood myopia: why is it important?
In children, myopia progresses along with the growth of the eyeball, usually from 7–8 to 16–18 years. The higher the final grade, the greater the risk of serious complications in adulthood - retinal detachment, myopic degeneration, glaucoma. Therefore, the modern approach is aimed not only at ensuring that the child sees well, but also at slowing down the growth of myopia.
- At least 2 hours a day outside in daylight is the best proven method
- Rule 20-20-20: every 20 minutes of close work, look into the distance for 20 seconds
- The distance to the book and screen is at least 30–40 cm, good lighting
- Limiting screen time, especially for younger students
- Special glasses and contact lenses to control myopia
- Orthokeratology - rigid night lenses that temporarily change the shape of the cornea
- Atropine drops in low concentration as prescribed by an ophthalmologist
Распространённый миф: «очки портят глаза, лучше потерпеть». Наоборот — некорригированная близорукость заставляет глаз напрягаться и у детей способствует более быстрому прогрессированию. Очки не ослабляют глаз.
Survey
- Проверка остроты зрения вдаль и вблизи.
- Авторефрактометрия — объективное измерение рефракции.
- У детей и подростков — обязательно с расширением зрачка (циклоплегией): без этого можно принять спазм аккомодации за истинную близорукость и выписать ненужные очки.
- Осмотр глазного дна — при близорукости обязателен: важно оценить состояние периферии сетчатки.
- Измерение длины глаза (биометрия) — точный способ отслеживать прогрессирование у детей.
- Кератотопография — при астигматизме и перед лазерной коррекцией.
Correction methods for adults
- Glasses are the easiest and safest way
- Soft contact lenses are comfortable, but require strict hygiene; You can’t sleep in them unless it’s provided by the manufacturer.
- Rigid gas permeable lenses - for high astigmatism and keratoconus
- Laser correction (LASIK, PRK, SMILE) - performed with stable refraction, usually from 18–20 years of age; eliminates dependence on glasses, but does not eliminate age-related presbyopia
- Implantation of a phakic lens - for very high myopia, when laser is not indicated
An important limitation: laser correction changes the optics of the cornea, but does not shorten the eye. The risks associated with a stretched retina with high myopia remain, and you should also see an ophthalmologist regularly.
What Really Protects Your Eyesight
- Annual examination by an ophthalmologist, for myopia - with examination of the periphery of the retina
- Walking in daylight, especially for children
- Reasonable visual stress and sufficient lighting
- Refusal to read while lying down and in moving vehicles
- Properly selected correction, and not “tolerate without glasses”
- Immediate attention in case of flashes, “curtain” and sudden deterioration of vision
