Notifications. Poor vision is inherited: truth or myth? News from Murmansk and the Murmansk region

E1.RU continues to debunk various pseudo-scientific myths together with Ekaterinburg scientists. Today we’ll talk about misconceptions related to vision.

Let's find out whether eye exercises can really restore good vision and whether blueberries and carrots can improve it. Let's find out whether natural childbirth is always prohibited in case of poor vision and whether eyes really increase in size with myopia. We’ll also discuss whether vision problems are inherited and whether modern televisions actually harm vision less than their predecessors.

This time we went to one of the clinical bases of the Ural State University to look for answers. medical university on a visit to the Deputy Chief Physician, refractive surgeon, teacher of the Department of Ophthalmology Alexander Bogachev.

Myth one: blueberries and carrots improve vision

Both blueberries and carrots contain vitamin A, or retinol. The vitamin received this name due to its effect on the retina of the eye (retina - translated from Latin as “retina”). Vitamin A is involved in the restoration of the visual pigment rhodopsin, which is located on the periphery of the retina and is responsible for twilight vision. Therefore, blueberries and carrots have a beneficial effect on vision in low light conditions and on dark adaptation,” explains Alexander Bogachev.

When consuming these foods, remember that vitamin A is fat soluble. Therefore, in order to assimilate it, it is necessary to consume these products not in pure form, and with a small amount of sunflower oil or sour cream. But, of course, with myopia and other vision problems, eating blueberries will not improve your vision.

With a lack of vitamin A, hemeralopia (night blindness), dry eye mucosa, and decreased general immunity develop. Currently, a true lack of vitamin A from insufficient intake of the vitamin from food practically does not occur under normal conditions. Vitamin complexes containing vitamin A are prescribed by ophthalmologists for myopia, decreased dark adaptation, and high visual loads.

- What is more beneficial: fresh blueberries and carrots or vitamin A supplements?

The amount of vitamin A contained in such complexes is certainly greater than in the amount of blueberries and carrots that a person can eat at one time.

Myth two: vision problems are inherited

It is necessary to separate hereditary diseases and hereditary predisposition. Hereditary diseases are often severe and difficult to treat. In this way, for example, hereditary dystrophic diseases of the retina develop.

A hereditary predisposition may be realized under the influence of environmental factors unfavorable for the development of a particular disease, or it may not develop if these factors are not present or all measures are taken to minimize them. To date, a hereditary predisposition has been proven for such eye diseases, such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, myopia, astigmatism and others. For example, if one of the parents has myopia, then in 50% of cases it can develop in the child. If both parents are nearsighted, the probability increases to 80%.

Myth three: using eye exercises you can improve your vision without surgery

There are special sets of exercises that are aimed at straining the eye muscles. As a result, the muscles are trained and blood flow to the eyeball increases. It has even been proven that if a person pays more attention to a particular sensory organ, then this organ begins to work better. The peculiarity is that training does not affect the problem itself that reduces vision (myopia, farsightedness, etc.), but increases the eye’s adaptation to this problem. Your vision gets a little better from training, but not enough to stop wearing glasses and contact lenses.

Such training is advisable for patients with slight myopia (within 1 diopter), with overstrain of the eye muscles and after laser vision correction to speed up recovery.

Myth four: with good sunglasses you can look at the sun without harming your eyesight.

When a person looks directly at the sun, direct lines penetrate into the eye Sun rays. Unlike reflected and scattered rays, they have greater brightness. Quality sunglasses must have a UV filter. This is usually indicated by the UV380 or UV400 marking. Besides, Sunglasses reduce the brightness of light entering the eye. But sunglasses do not protect against the full spectrum of eye-damaging radiation contained in sunlight. Therefore, you should not get carried away with contemplating the sun or solar eclipses, looking at the sun for a long time with glasses. From excess sunlight, retinal function may be impaired and cataracts may develop.

Myth number five: everyone’s eyesight deteriorates with age.

In the absence of eye diseases, visual acuity with glasses remains high (normally one) throughout life. But spectacle correction (eye refraction) can change with age. Distance vision gradually shifts to positive refraction with age. People with good vision can begin to notice this process from the age of 55–60: distance vision becomes worse, and in order to see everything clearly, glasses with low plus (from +0.5 to +1.5) are needed. In people with myopia, there is a gradual reduction in its degree with age by the same amount.

As for near vision, the situation is different. In order to see something clearly at close range, a person must tense his intraocular ciliary muscles. As a result, the curvature of the lens changes - it becomes more convex. This process is called accommodation. The lens is one of the few structures human body, which grows not to the outside, but to the inside. As a result, at the age of about 40 years, the elasticity of the lens begins to decrease, as a result of which it becomes more and more difficult to change the shape of the lens during near vision. Therefore, around the age of 40, near vision becomes worse. People try to make the light brighter or move the text or gadget further away, at first this helps, but sooner or later glasses for near vision become a necessity. The gain for near vision starts at +0.75 and at about 65–70 years of age reaches +3.25 diopters for a working distance of 33 centimeters. This plus is added to the parameters of the glasses that a person uses for distance.

- Does it depend on the profession?

Changes in distance vision - no. Age-related changes in near vision depend. People who have professions associated with prolonged intense eye strain near (accountants, lawyers, programmers, etc.) experience a decrease in near vision in more early age from 35 to 40 years.

Myth six: LCD monitors do not damage your eyesight

There is no clear answer here. Of course, the evolution of monitors is moving along the path of increasing clarity, contrast, and frequency. The picture of modern LCD monitors is much more pleasant to look at. However, these monitors also have a minus - the light that comes from the LCD monitor screen is overloaded with the blue-blue part of the spectrum. Today it has been proven that this part of the spectrum overloads the eyes, they get tired faster. It is on this principle that the work of computer glasses is based - they have a slight tint: green, yellow or brown. It compensates for the excess of the blue-blue spectrum, due to this the contrast increases. In addition, it matters at what distance you look at the monitor. You can't imagine anything with the working distance of computer monitors. In almost all cases, it is about 40–50 cm. But it is better to watch TV from a distance of 2.5 meters or more.

As for the statements that reading e-books does not harm your eyesight, it is still better for your eyes to opt for a paper book. Reading e-book better than reading from a phone or tablet due to the monochrome image. But due to the background illumination of an e-book, the eye gets tired more than from reading with paper media in normal lighting.

- Is there any benefit from glasses with holes?

These are perforation glasses. Their principle is quite simple. When light passes through a hole of small diameter (about 1.5 mm), only direct rays penetrate into the eye, the accommodation mechanism of the eye (focusing the eye at different distances) does not work - the eyes rest. These glasses can be used during the working day if you feel tired eyes.

Myth seven: if you wear glasses, your eyes relax and see worse

This is absolutely not true. When a person with nearsightedness or other vision impairment does not wear glasses, their intraocular muscles do not function. This can cause headaches, decreased performance, and more importantly, it is one of the factors in the progression of myopia. When glasses or contact lenses are prescribed, a person begins to see the world more fully and clearly, the eye muscles begin to work. In general, this myth arose due to the fact that when wearing glasses, the eyes get used to them, and one gets the feeling that vision without glasses becomes worse. It's the same with contact lenses.

Myth eight: natural childbirth is contraindicated if you have poor vision.

There is a certain relationship between poor eyesight and the ban on natural childbirth, but it is ambiguous. The fact is that with myopia, the eyeball increases in size. If normal sizes eyeball 23–24 millimeters, then with myopia the eyeball increases to 25–26 millimeters, and sometimes more. All membranes of the eyeball are stretchable, the outer membrane of the eye - the sclera - is easily stretchable, the vascular membrane is also easily stretchable, but the retina stretches poorly. Areas of thinning appear - areas of retinal degeneration. In these weak spots, due to provoking factors, one of which is the pushing period of childbirth, the retina can tear, which can lead to a serious complication - retinal detachment.

It should also be said that retinal degeneration also occurs when good vision. Therefore, an examination by an ophthalmologist during pregnancy is mandatory for everyone. If peripheral retinal degeneration is diagnosed during pregnancy, the ophthalmologist recommends laser strengthening of the retina in these “weak spots.” The laser retinal strengthening procedure can be performed during pregnancy up to 28 weeks.

- After laser correction, does your vision deteriorate again?

According to the rules laser correction vision is performed only with stable vision parameters. If myopia progresses, then surgery cannot be performed. But at the same time, the cornea is not a piece of plastic. In some cases, after a standard operation, after a few months, residual myopia of -1 to -3 diopters occurs again due to the atypical reaction of the cornea to the operation. This phenomenon is called the regression effect. The risk of regression of the effect is higher with initially high myopia. If regression of the effect does occur, then, according to indications, a repeat operation is performed to return vision to a high level.

Photo: Artyom USTYUZHANIN / E1.RU; Mikhail MORDASOV / TASS

Babies are born farsighted, this is due to the short axis of the eye, which is why the projection of rays occurs outside the retina. This feature of the visual analyzer is an age-related norm and goes away over time. Children with congenital myopia have an elongated eyeball, so light rays fall in front of the retina. This is a dangerous disorder, because it does not allow the eye to develop normally, which negatively affects general development child.

What is congenital myopia?

Doctors explain congenital myopia as a genetic predisposition, because this disorder is transmitted from one of the parents suffering from myopia. Sometimes visual impairment occurs in utero due to pathological conditions during pregnancy. Most often, congenital myopia is characterized not only by the difficulty of clearly seeing objects located at a distance, but also by minor changes in the fundus of the eye.

Usually this disease is stable, but cases of progression are not uncommon. Children diagnosed with myopia require increased attention doctors with regular preventive examinations.

Causes

Congenital myopia occurs in an infant during the period of intrauterine development due to a genetic predisposition to this disease. Before the baby is born, the disease affects the eye system, causing myopia to progress.

The main source of congenital visual impairment is heredity. Even in the maternity hospital, if one of the parents is diagnosed with this disease, the child is carefully examined and at the age of 2-4 months is invited to a control visit, during which it can be determined whether the baby has myopia.

Often the disease manifests itself in childhood or adolescence with impaired vision of distant objects. The signal to show the baby to an ophthalmologist is his complaints about a feeling of pain or itching in the eyes, their rapid fatigue. Sometimes headaches occur for no apparent reason.

Kinds

Myopia can be congenital or acquired. Congenital myopia is rare, however, it often has concomitant disorders of the visual analyzer, which are manifested by developmental anomalies and amblyopia.

Myopia occurs when light rays are focused in front of the retina. This is due to the difference in the length of the eyeball and the optical axis.

There are several types of myopia:

• axial– the eyeball is elongated, while the indices of the refractive media are within normal limits;
• refractive– the size of the eye axis is normal, but the refraction of the lens, cornea and vitreous body is greater than normal;
• mixed– both indicators exceed normal values;
• combined– the size of the eye and the indicators of refractive media are normal, however, they have an atypical combination.

Why is early diagnosis important?

The main task of doctors is to quickly detect congenital myopia. If this pathology is not detected in the first months of life, it can lead to even more serious disorders of the visual function of the eye. The child undergoes the first examination by an ophthalmologist in the maternity hospital, however, it is determined this pathology This is not always possible for a newly born child. In modern and well-equipped clinics, visual impairment can be detected as early as three months of age.

Late diagnosis of congenital myopia and lack of correction in the form of glasses or contact lenses can already by the beginning of the second year of life lead to such serious disorders as:

• strabismus;
• refractive amblyopia, which is characterized by a sharp drop in visual acuity that cannot be treated.

How does congenital myopia differ from acquired myopia?

The main difference between congenital and acquired forms of myopia is that the latter arises in the process of life. Myopia, diagnosed at birth, is the result of disorders of the embryonic development of the child, and the pathology can be transmitted from generation to generation. Congenital myopia is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, therefore, there is a high probability of having a baby suffering from visual impairment to parents, one of whom has this disease.

Factors provoking the appearance of acquired myopia:

The above reasons lead to temporary impairment of visual function due to excessive tension in the muscles that hold the eyeball. As long as the changes do not become chronic (the ciliary muscles, the lens, and the eyeball itself do not change their shape), it is possible to return normal vision without the help of surgery or medications.

If you regularly do eye exercises and give your eyes a rest while working at the computer, you can eliminate the resulting muscle contractions and restore full vision.

Will congenital myopia progress?

When a child is diagnosed with congenital myopia, regular examinations should be carried out. preventive examinations from an ophthalmologist, the frequency of which will be determined by the doctor. Based on the examination data obtained, appropriate therapy and methods of vision correction will be selected. This will also make it possible to make predictions regarding the further progression of the disease.

Previously, doctors believed that this congenital visual impairment does not progress, and deterioration of the condition is observed in rare cases. The experience of clinical observations conducted from the end of the twentieth century to the present day suggests the opposite: in the absence of proper therapy, the disease develops rapidly.

A pediatric ophthalmologist will help you draw up individual program therapeutic measures aimed at preventing the progression of pathology, and will also select the right glasses or contact lenses.

In order to prevent further development of congenital myopia, parents must make every effort:

• control the level of eye strain in the child;
• limit time spent in front of a TV or computer screen;
• provide the baby with a nutritious, balanced diet;
• Help your child do eye exercises.

Treatment

Myopia is widespread, however, there is no treatment for this disease. Known treatment options are aimed at slowing the development of pathology.

Various drugs are used to treat myopia, which can be divided into several groups.:

1. Drug therapy– drugs that affect accommodation (Atropine, Cyclopentolate), as well as drugs that reduce blood pressure (Labetalol, Pilocarpine).
2. Surgical methods– strengthening the sclera of the eye (scleroplasty).
3. Optical correction methods– contact lenses or glasses are used.
4. Unconventional techniques– use of training glasses and Chinese medicine.

Is it possible to prevent myopia?

Preventive measures to prevent the disease consist of actions aimed at reducing the likelihood of hereditary myopia, as well as preventing accommodative eye disorders.

Today, genetic consultations for parents on the issue of possible inheritance of myopia by their child are widely used.

The course of pregnancy itself is also important, because various infections, pathological processes and intoxications can provoke the development of visual impairment in the baby already in the postnatal period due to circulatory disorders in the eye muscles, and also lead to scleral weakness.

Nevertheless, the main actions of parents should be aimed at preventing the development of adaptive myopia in the child. For this you need:

• often walk in the fresh air, toughen up, lead an active lifestyle;
• engage in the prevention of chronic diseases (rickets, rheumatism, etc.);
• eat properly and balanced;
• do eye exercises to strengthen the intraocular muscles;
• create ergonomic conditions for reading and studying.

Teach your child to sit correctly at a desk, control the level of illumination in the workplace, do not teach your child to read in bed, and also remind him of the need to pause to give his eyes a chance to rest.

Congenital myopia is a disease that cannot be treated. With help various techniques it is only possible to avoid the progression of the disease. Therefore, regular monitoring by an ophthalmologist is important. This will help prevent complications from developing.

Useful video about myopia

Many people wonder whether poor vision can be inherited. Doctors say that if parents have refractive errors, children are predisposed to the appearance of such anomalies. In this article we will look at the likelihood of hereditary eye diseases.

Currently, doctors do not give a clear answer to the question of whether poor vision is inherited. Some are convinced that the causes of the pathology are related to genetics. Others believe that this is a misconception, and a person loses visual acuity due to exposure external factors, such as radiation from a computer, low level illumination of the workplace, etc.

According to statistics, hereditary eye diseases are observed in only 3 out of 100 newborn children. In other cases, vision begins to deteriorate with age. It is impossible to say unequivocally that a child of nearsighted or farsighted parents will have poor vision. However, it can be assumed that he has a predisposition to the appearance of refractive errors. In this case, certain factors can significantly cause vision deterioration.

What factors increase the likelihood of hereditary eye diseases?

Spending long periods of time on a computer, tablet or phone at an early age significantly increases the risk of vision impairment.
Reading, writing, or drawing in low-light environments can cause refractive errors.

In some families, poor vision is passed on from generation to generation. For example, myopia or farsightedness is observed in grandparents, mothers, etc. In this case, the baby is at increased risk. To reduce the likelihood of a hereditary disease, it is necessary to systematically undergo examination by an ophthalmologist.

How to prevent the occurrence of hereditary refractive error?

• do preventive exercises for the eyes;
• accept special vitamins for eyes;
• eat a balanced diet and properly distribute visual loads;
• exercise;
• be systematically observed by an ophthalmologist.

Timely measures taken can significantly reduce the risk of inheriting eye diseases. The likelihood of a child having poor vision largely depends on his lifestyle.

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When studying the role of heredity in the development of myopia, three main methods are used genetic research: genealogical, twin and population-statistical.

As is known, the population-statistical method is based on the study of hereditary traits in large groups of the population from one or several populations and statistical processing of the obtained material [Bochkov N.P., 1973].

Population-statistical studies of refraction are few in number and are characterized by methodological diversity and data variability. Since these studies are carried out on different age and ethnic material using different methods for determining and taking into account refraction, the results obtained are difficult to compare and generalize. The results of these studies relate mainly to the construction of refractive curves, component analysis of refractions, and determination of the frequency of myopia in different nationalities. They cannot be used to construct a genetic model of myopia.

The genealogical method, based on the analysis of pedigrees, has long been used in the study of refraction [Averbakh M.I., 1925; Kholina A.A., 1925; Stilling, 1903; Waardenburg R., 1930, 1963; Wold K S., 1949; Francois J., 1958; Sorsby A., 1970, etc.[.

P. Waardenburg (1963), who summarized almost all the literature on the genetics of refraction in his manual, distinguishes three types of myopia according to the type of inheritance: 1) weak and moderate myopia (up to 6.0 diopters) is inherited, in his opinion, in an autosomal dominant manner type; 2) myopia high degree transmitted in an autosomal recessive or, less commonly, autosomal dominant manner; 3) congenital myopia can be either hereditary (mainly recessive) or associated with prematurity. R. Waardenburg assigns an insignificant role to environmental factors in the development of acquired myopia.

A Sorsby (1970) also writes about the polygenic nature of inheritance of ametropia. In his opinion, simple uncomplicated myopia can be transmitted by both a recessive and dominant type, myopia combined with night blindness can be transmitted by an autosomal recessive type, as well as by a sex-linked recessive type. Genetic factors will play a significant role in the development of myopia, which accompanies tapetoromital dystrophies, various forms congenital pathology organ of vision, as well as some systemic diseases(Down's disease, albinism, arachnodactyly, etc.).

Valuable data on the heritability of individual anatomical and optical elements of the eye were obtained by comparing them in two generations. A. Sorsby et al. (1966) studied the frequency of similarity of the refractive elements of the eye between parents and their children in 28 randomly selected families. The highest correlation was for the refractive power of the cornea (r = 0.542) and the length of the eye axis (r = 0.434), followed by the depth of the anterior chamber (r = 0.388), total refraction (r = 0.348) and lens power (r = 0.278).

F. Young and G. Lea 17 (1972) obtained different results in a similar study of 71 Eskimo families. The correlation between parents and children in terms of general refraction turned out to be relatively small (r = 0.23), and after excluding families whose members had high degree hyperopia, it was generally insignificant (r = 0.11).

For the remaining anatomical and optical elements, the following correlations were obtained: refractive power of the cornea - 0.36, length of the eye axis - 0.22, depth of the anterior chamber - 0.24, thickness of the lens - 0.11.

Thus, significant similarity between parents and children was found only in relation to the refractive power of the cornea. As for general refraction, only with hyperopia above 3.0 diopters was a close correlation between the two generations revealed. The authors did not find any evidence of the genetic determination of the anatomical and optical elements of the eye for other types of refraction, except for corneal curvature.

The twin method is promising in anthropogenetics, i.e. study of genetic patterns in twins. The essence of the twin method is, as is known, to compare the studied characteristics in different groups twins, based on the similarity or difference of their genotypes and the environment in which they grew up [Bochkov N.P., 1973). Comparing the frequency of a trait (degree of concordance) in monozygotic and dizygotic twins allows us to obtain an approximate answer to the question of the relative role of heredity and environment in the development of the trait. The greater the similarity of the studied trait in monozygotic pairs, the greater its overall genetic determination. The development of the twin method is closely related to an increase in the accuracy of determination of engotism.

In the early works of W. Jablonski (1922), R. Waardenburg (1930),

G. Meyer-Schwiekerath (1949) and other authors who used the twin method analyzed the heritability of only the total refraction and refractive power of the cornea. There was a high frequency of coincidence of corneal curvature in monozygotic pairs and a significantly lower frequency in dizygotic pairs. The agreement in overall refraction was somewhat less, especially for myopia.

With the advent of ultrasound biometry, the study of heritability in twins of all components of refraction began. A. Sorsby et al. (1962), having selected 78 monozygotic, 40 dizygotic and 48 random pairs similar in refraction, determined their intrapair correlations according to the main anatomical and optical parameters. The difference in correlation coefficients for monozygotic and dizygotic pairs was greatest for corneal curvature (0.934 and 0.591) and eye axis length (0.919 and 0.482). It was significantly lower for the optical power of the lens (0.831 and 0.507) and the depth of the anterior chamber (0.827 and 0.452). Correlations within random pairs were not significant. In the group of eyes with emmetropia and hypermetropia, the correlations were slightly higher, and the difference in correlation coefficients between monozygotic and dizygotic pairs was slightly greater than in the group of myopic eyes.

Based on the results of a survey of 39 monozygotic and 22 dizygotic twin pairs, A. Nakajima (1961) came to the conclusion that there are highly heritable (corneal curvature and back surface lens, eye axis length) and low-heritable components of refraction (corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth and curvature of the anterior surface of the lens).

Data on the importance of the genetic factor in the development of myopia have been significantly expanded as a result of studies carried out in Lately at the Moscow Research Institute of Eye Diseases named after. Helmholtz together with the Medical Genetic Research Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences and the Institute of Physiology of Children and Adolescents of the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of the Russian Federation.

Genealogical studies using a number of markers (blood haptoglobins, dermatoglyphics) were carried out in the Fergana Valley (Kollyukh V.A., 1972; Avetisov E.S., Kolyukh V.A., 1973]. High population density, the presence of isolates, a significant number consanguineous marriages and the predominance of large families made this territory of Uzbekistan a convenient object for medical and genetic analysis of myopia.

In 120 families in which myopia was detected in three or four generations, 1132 people were examined (545 men and 587 women). 52 were also examined healthy families(420 people) from the same population who made up the control group. Among them are 208 women and 212 men. The frequency of myopia in families of the colic group and families of probands was respectively

10.9 and 39.5%, which indicates the significant role of the hereditary factor in the origin of this type of refraction.

The autosomal dominant type of inheritance was established in 53 (44.2%) families, and the autosomal recessive type - in 67 (55.8%). A significant influence of inbreeding on the frequency and nature of inheritance was revealed. With the dominant type of inheritance, consanguineous marriages occurred in 24.6% of families, and with the recessive type - in 65.7%. In the latter group, consanguineous marriages spanned several generations.

It has been established that with a dominant type of inheritance, myopia occurs at a later age, proceeds more favorably and, as a rule, does not reach high degrees. Myopia, inherited in a recessive manner, is characterized by phenotypic polymorphism, earlier onset, a greater tendency to progress and develop complications, a frequent combination with a number of congenital eye diseases and a more severe course of the process in the next generation compared to the previous one. At the same time, it was not possible to obtain data that would allow us to distinguish high complicated (sometimes called “malignant” or “pathological”) myopia into a genetically isolated group.

The presence of frequent inbreeding with a recessive type of inheritance worsens the course of myopia and increases the penetrance of the corresponding genes. Myopia in such cases is often accompanied by ocular abnormalities, deaf-muteness and neuropsychiatric disorders, which are also found in relatives of the proband who do not have myopia.

When examining myopic and control group subjects for sex chromatin, the sense of taste of phenylthiourea and the presence of haptoglobins in the blood serum, no connection between myopia and these genetic tests was identified.

O.A. Panteleeva et al. (1976) conducted comparative analysis phenotypic manifestations of myopia in hereditarily burdened families and in families in which there was no myopia. Three indicators were selected from all phenotypic manifestations of myopia: 1) time of manifestation of myopia; 2) degree of myopia at the time of examination; 3) the severity of the clinical course. 120 children with hereditary and 130 with non-hereditary myopia were examined.

The authors came to the conclusion that in children with hereditary myopia it manifests itself earlier, its average degree is higher, clinical course more severe than in children with non-hereditary myopia. Hereditary myopia appears slightly earlier in girls (average age 8.1 ± 2.1 years) than in boys (11.6 ± 2.2 years). If one of the children has myopia, the expected time for the onset of myopia in the second sibling of the same sex is T±3.0 years, of the other sex - T±4.2 years (T is the time of onset of myopia in the first child).

According to O.A. Panteleeva and E.N. Musnitskaya (1974), factors influencing gene expressivity, i.e. the degree of severity of its action, with hereditary myopia there may be gender, the genotype of both parents, and environmental factors. Based on the analysis of each pedigree, the authors determined the penetrance, i.e. the degree of manifestation of the pathological myopia gene in the examined families. It amounted to 21.3%. Such a low percentage of penetrance indicates that the dominantly inherited myopia gene can realize its pathological effect only under the influence of unfavorable environmental conditions or in interaction with other pathological genes. Penetrance and expressivity as consequences of various influences on gene action are interrelated. Further accumulation and systematization of data will help identify new factors influencing this relationship.

The study of refraction and its elements in monozygotic and dizygotic twins (Avetisov E.S. et al., 1973, І974| made it possible to assess the relative role of environmental and genetic factors in the formation of ametropia. Along with the measurement of static refraction and its elements, a study of dynamic refraction indicators was carried out in 13 monozygotic and 9 dizygotic twin pairs.Intraclass correlation coefficients for all these indicators are compared in Table 27.

From the data in the table it can be seen that the length of the eye axis, the refractive power of the cornea and especially general ametropia are much more closely related in monozygotic than in dizygotic twins. Different results were obtained when comparing functional indicators: correlation coefficients turned out to be quite low in both groups, and for some indicators they were even higher in dizygotic twins than in monozygotic twins. Based on these data, it is impossible to speak about any genetic conditioning of the properties of dynamic refraction.

Correlations of the main indicators of static and dynamic refraction in twins

In a later work [Avetisov E.S. et al., 1978] on unselected pairs of twins of childhood and adolescence, the heritability of eye refraction and its anatomical-optical components, as well as the features of inheritance, were studied different types refraction. 61 pairs of monozygotic (M3) and 51 pairs of dizygotic (DZ) twins were examined.

To characterize heritability, the Holzinger coefficient was determined. The closer this coefficient is to 1.0, the higher the degree of participation of the genetic factor in the formation of this trait.

The results of the study are shown in table. 28. They show that the genetic program has a very significant influence on the formation of eye refraction. Holzinger's heritability ranged from 0.659 to 0.792 and was slightly higher in boys than in girls.

Heredity also manifests itself in the formation of optical and anatomical elements of refraction. At the same time, its role turned out to be greatest in the formation of the length of the axis of the eye (Holzinger index 0.773), somewhat less in the formation of the refractive power of the cornea (0.719) and the smallest in the formation of the refractive power of the lens (0.334).

In order to get an answer to the question whether the discovered patterns apply to all types of refraction, it was carried out additional research. For greater clarity

Table 2H

Rank correlations and heritability of refraction and its components according to the results of a twin study

In this case, it was not the correlation coefficients of the characteristics that were calculated, but their modification indicators, i.e. mean difference within a pair.

Presented in table. 29 results show that intra-pair differences in refraction and its elements are the smallest for emmetropia and weak hypermetropia, somewhat larger for moderate and high hyperopia, and significantly larger for myopia. This indicates a greater influence of genetic factors on the formation of hypermetropia and emmetropia than on the formation of myopia. One of the reasons for this is obviously that emmetropia and weak hypermetropia represent the specific refraction of the human eye.

In all refractive groups, intrapair differences in static refraction were smaller than the differences in its constituent elements. This indicates the presence of an active mechanism for “adjusting” the anatomical and optical elements to each other.

Thus, we can assume that, unlike hereditary eye diseases, in which heredity plays the role of the main etiological factor, myopia belongs to the group of eye diseases with a hereditary predisposition, when heredity acts as a pathogenetic or conditionally etiological factor.

Modification index of refraction and its components in different refractive groups

Myopia (nearsightedness) is pathological change vision, in which a person poorly distinguishes distant objects and well those that are located close to him.

Causes of myopia

Physiological factors in the development of myopia include disruption of the accommodative muscles of the eye and the shape of its chambers.

Eye myopia is a hereditary disease, but in most cases it can be classified as acquired and several factors contribute to this.

Pregnancy and childbirth.

In some cases, myopia during pregnancy can progress; pregnancy and childbirth can lead to significant deterioration of vision, and possibly blindness.

Eye strain.

Frequent cases of the disease are observed at school age, when the child learns to write and read. In adults, myopia is an adaptive reaction of the eye and manifests itself in writers, laboratory technicians, watchmakers, namely, in people whose professions involve working with objects at close range, in poor lighting. This includes reading in a moving vehicle, lying on a bed, or having an incorrect posture while writing.

Violation of intraocular pressure.

Increased or decreased intracranial pressure causes changes in the shape of the eyeball, which entails not only the development of myopia, but also glaucoma.

Thinning of the sclera.

Collagen and fibrous fibers of the eyeball under the influence of negative factors environment or internal disorders of the body (hormonal disruptions) weaken, which leads to a change in the shape of the eyeball.

Weakening of the body.

Myopia occurs in people with reduced immunity and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, as well as in the presence of brain injuries, after suffering from chronic diseases.

Kinds

Myopia can be congenital, or it can manifest itself over time and progress.

Progressive myopia is a disease that worsens the quality of life by a sharp drop in visual acuity. In this case, treatment is immediate - we are talking not only about continuous deterioration of vision, but also the development of serious complications that depend on the degree of myopia - these are cataracts, glaucoma, vitreous opacities, retinal detachment and dystrophy.

Complex measures aimed at treatment involve a visual regime, relaxing gymnastics for the eye muscles, glasses - simulators, photostimulation and drug treatment using drops, multivitamins and blueberry tablets.

Degrees

Myopia of the second degree (average) is established if the diopters are in the range from 3.25 to 6. Myopia III degree(high) if the dioptres exceed the 6 mark.

Symptoms of the disease

For a long time, myopia occurs without symptoms; it is usually detected during medical examinations. But over time, if myopia progresses to symptoms of the following nature

Severe headaches are observed in case of any eye diseases; constant eye fatigue, even during sports.

Diagnostics

Determine visual acuity, examine the movement of the shadow in the pupil area and determine refraction, measure intraocular pressure, perform ophthalmoscopy to exclude retinal dystrophy and hemorrhages, and ultrasound of the eye.

Myopia treatment

Conservative method involves vision correction using contact lenses and glasses, eye exercises, treatment medicines and restorative therapy in the form of swimming, massage and sports. Laser correction is an effective method of correcting grade III vision. With its help it is given correct form cornea of ​​the eye, which significantly improves vision. Replacing the lens with an artificial one- with indicators of 20 diopters. Implantation of phakic lenses- lens adjustments.

Myopia

Myopia is quite common in the general population: according to WHO, 25-30% of the world's population suffers from myopia. Most often, myopia develops in childhood or puberty (from 7 to 15 years) and subsequently either remains at the existing level or progresses. With myopia, light rays emanating from distant objects are brought into focus not on the retina, as in a normal eye, but in front of it, as a result of which the image turns out fuzzy, blurry, blurry.

The condition of myopia was first described by Aristotle in the 4th century. BC e. In his writings, the philosopher noted that some people, in order to better distinguish distant objects, are forced to squint their eyes and called this phenomenon “myops” (from the Greek - “squint”). In modern ophthalmology, myopia has another name - myopia.

Causes of myopia

Normally, with 100% vision, parallel rays from distant objects, passing through the optical media of the eye, are focused to the image point on the retina. In a myopic eye, the image is formed in front of the retina, and only a blurred and blurry image reaches the light-receiving membrane. With myopia, this situation occurs only when the eye perceives parallel light rays, i.e., with distance vision. Rays emanating from close objects have a divergent direction and, after refraction in the optical medium of the eye, are projected strictly onto the retina, forming a clear and clear image. Therefore, a patient with myopia has poor distance vision and good near vision.

To clearly distinguish distant objects, it is necessary to give parallel rays a diverging direction, which is achieved using special (spectacle or contact) diverging lenses. The refractive power of the lens, indicating how much it is necessary to weaken the refraction of a myopic eye, is usually expressed in diopters (dopters) - it is from this point of view that the amount of myopia is determined, which is indicated by a negative value.

Myopia is based on the discrepancy between the refractive power of the optical system of the eye and the length of its axis. Therefore, the mechanism of myopia, firstly, may be associated with an excessive length of the optical axis of the eyeball with normal refractive power of the cornea and lens. With myopia, the length of the eye reaches 30 mm or more (with the normal length of the eye in an adult - 23-24 mm), and its shape becomes ellipsoidal. When the eye is lengthened by 1 mm. The degree of myopia increases by 3 diopters. Secondly, with myopia, the refractive power of the optical system may be too strong (over 60 diopters) with the normal length of the optical axis of the eye (24 mm). Sometimes with myopia there is a mixed mechanism - a combination of these two defects. In both cases, the image of objects cannot be focused normally on the retina, but is formed inside the eye; in this case, only focuses from objects located close to the eye are projected onto the retina.

In most cases, myopia is hereditary. If both parents have myopia, children develop myopia in 50% of cases; with normal vision of parents - only 8% of children.

A common reason that contributes to the development of myopia is non-compliance with visual hygiene requirements: excessive visual stress at close distances, insufficient illumination of the workplace, prolonged work at the computer or watching TV, reading in transport, incorrect sitting position when reading and writing.

Often the development of true myopia is preceded by false myopia, caused by overload of the ciliary (accommodative) muscle and spasm of accommodation. Myopia may be accompanied by another ophthalmopathology - astigmatism. strabismus. amblyopia. keratoconus. keratoglobus.

Past infections, hormonal fluctuations, intoxications, and birth injuries have an adverse effect on visual function. TBI. worsening microcirculation in the membranes of the eye. The progression of myopia is facilitated by a deficiency of microelements such as Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu, etc. and improper correction of already identified myopia.

Classification of myopia

First of all, a distinction is made between congenital (associated with intrauterine developmental disorders of the eyeball) and acquired (developed under the influence of unfavorable factors) myopia.

According to the leading mechanism for the development of myopia, axial (with an increase in the size of the eyeball) and refractive myopia (with excessive power of the refractive apparatus) are distinguished.

A condition accompanied by the progression of myopia by 1 or more diopters per year is regarded as progressive myopia. With a constant, significant increase in the degree of myopia, they speak of malignant myopia or myopic disease, which leads to visual impairment. Stationary myopia does not progress and is well corrected with lenses (spectacles or contacts).

The so-called transient (temporary) myopia, lasting 1-2 weeks, develops with swelling of the lens and an increase in its refractive power. This condition occurs during pregnancy and diabetes. taking corticosteroids, sulfonamides, initial stage development of cataracts.

According to refractometry data and the strength of the necessary correction in diopters, low, medium and high myopia are distinguished:

• weak - up to -3 diopters inclusive
• average – from -3 to -6 diopters inclusive
• high – more than -6 diopters

The degree of high myopia can reach significant values ​​(up to -15 and -30 diopters).

Symptoms of myopia

For a long time, myopia is asymptomatic and is often detected by ophthalmologists during medical examinations. Myopia usually develops or progresses in school years when children have to deal with intense visual stress during their studies. You should pay attention to the fact that children begin to distinguish distant objects worse, have trouble seeing the lines on the board, try to come closer to the object in question, looking into the distance, and squint their eyes. In addition to far vision, myopia also worsens twilight vision: people with myopia are less able to navigate dark time days.

Constant forced eye strain leads to visual fatigue - muscular asthenopia, accompanied by severe headaches. aching eyes, pain in the eye sockets. Against the background of myopia, heterophoria, monocular vision and divergent concomitant strabismus can develop.

With progressive myopia, patients are forced to frequently change glasses and lenses to stronger ones, since after a while they no longer correspond to the degree of myopia and correct vision. Progression of myopia occurs due to stretching of the eyeball and often occurs in adolescence. The lengthening of the anterior-posterior axis of the eye in myopia is accompanied by a widening of the palpebral fissure, which leads to slight bulging eyes. The sclera, when stretched and thinned, acquires a bluish tint due to translucent vessels. Destruction of the vitreous body can be manifested by “flying flies”, the sensation of “skeins of wool”, “threads” before the eyes.

When the eyeball is stretched, there is elongation of the ocular vessels, impaired blood supply to the retina, and a decrease in visual acuity. Fragility blood vessels may lead to hemorrhages in retina And vitreous. The most serious complication of myopia can be retinal detachment and accompanying blindness.

Diagnosis of myopia

Diagnosing myopia requires ophthalmic tests. examination of eye structures, refraction studies. performing an ultrasound of the eye.

Visometry (visual acuity test) is carried out according to the table using a set of test spectacle lenses and is subjective. Therefore, this type of research for myopia must be supplemented with objective diagnostics: skiascopy. refractometry. which are carried out after cycloplegia and allow you to determine the true value of the refraction of the eye.

Carrying out ophthalmoscopy and biomicroscopy of the eye with a Goldmann lens for myopia is necessary to identify changes in the retina (hemorrhages, dystrophy, myopic cone, Fuchs spot), protrusion of the sclera (staphyloma), clouding of the lens, etc.

To measure the anterior-posterior axis of the eye and the size of the lens, assess the homogeneity of the vitreous, and exclude retinal detachment, an ultrasound of the eye is indicated.

Differential diagnosis is carried out between true myopia and false, as well as transient myopia.

Treatment of myopia

Correction and treatment of myopia can be carried out conservatively ( drug therapy, glasses or contact correction), surgical or laser methods.

Medication courses, carried out 1-2 times a year, can prevent the progression of myopia. It is recommended to maintain visual hygiene, limit physical activity, taking vitamins B and C, using mydriatics to relieve accommodation spasms (phenylephrine), performing tissue therapy (aloe, vitreous intramuscularly), taking nootropic drugs (piracetam, hopantenic acid), physiotherapeutic treatment (laser therapy, magnetic therapy, cervical collar massage zones, reflexology).

In the process of treating myopia, orthoptic techniques are used: training the ciliary muscle using negative lenses, hardware treatment (accommodation training, laser stimulation, color pulse therapy, etc.).

To correct myopia, contact lenses or glasses with diverging (negative) lenses are selected. To maintain the accommodation reserve for myopia, as a rule, incomplete correction is carried out. For myopia above -3 diopters, the use of two pairs of glasses or glasses with bifocal lenses is recommended. For high myopia, glasses are selected taking into account their tolerability. To correct low-moderate myopia, orthokeratological (night) lenses can be used.

To date, more than twenty methods of refractive and laser surgery have been developed in ophthalmology for the treatment of myopia. Excimer laser correction of myopia involves correcting vision by changing the shape of the cornea, giving it normal refractive power. Laser correction of myopia is carried out for myopia up to -12-15 diopters and is performed on an outpatient basis. Among the methods of laser surgery for myopia, LASIK is the most widely used. SUPER LASIK. EPILASIK. FemtoLASIK. LASEK. photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). These methods differ in the degree of impact and the method of shaping the surface of the cornea, however, they are essentially identical. Complications of treating myopia with laser can include hypo- or hyper-correction, the development of corneal astigmatism, and keratitis. conjunctivitis. dry eye syndrome.

Refractive lens replacement (lensectomy) is used in case of high myopia (up to –20 diopters) and loss of natural accommodation of the eye. The method involves removing the lens and placing an intraocular lens (artificial lens) inside the eye that has the necessary optical power.

Implantation of phakic lenses. as a method of treating myopia, it is used when natural accommodation is preserved. In this case, the lens is not removed, but in addition, a special lens is implanted into the anterior or posterior chamber of the eye. By implanting phakic lenses, very high (up to –25 diopters) degrees of myopia are corrected.

Radial keratotomy method due to large quantity restrictions are rarely used in modern myopia surgery. This method involves applying non-through radial incisions to the periphery of the cornea, which, when fused, change the shape and optical power of the cornea.

Scleroplastic surgery for myopia is performed to stop the growth of the eye. In the process of scleroplasty, strips of biological grafts are placed behind the fibrous membrane of the eyeball, covering the eye and preventing it from stretching. Another operation, collagenoscleroplasty, is also aimed at restraining eye growth.

In some cases, with myopia, it is advisable to perform keratoplasty - transplantation of a donor cornea, which is given a certain shape using software modeling.

The optimal method of treating myopia can only be determined by a highly qualified ophthalmologist (laser surgeon), taking into account the individual characteristics of the visual impairment.

Forecast and prevention of myopia

With appropriate correction of stationary myopia, in most cases it is possible to maintain high visual acuity. With progressive or malignant myopia, the prognosis is determined by the presence of complications (amblyopia, scleral staphylomas, hemorrhages in the retina or vitreous body, dystrophy or retinal detachment).

With a high degree of myopia and changes in the fundus of the eye, heavy physical labor, heavy lifting, and work associated with prolonged visual strain are contraindicated.

Prevention of myopia, especially in children and adolescents, requires the development of vision hygiene skills, special eye exercises and general strengthening measures.

An important role is played by preventive examinations aimed at identifying myopia in risk groups, medical examination of people with myopia, carrying out preventive measures, and rational and timely correction.

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Myopia

Myopia (myopia) is an eye disease in which the image of an object is focused not on the retina, but in front of it, which leads to blurred and unclear images of objects located in the distance. When looking at nearby objects, such a problem does not arise: a myopic person sees close enough well, hence the Russian-language name for the disease - myopia. The disease develops as a result of changes in the shape and size of the eyeball - from a normal (spherical shape) the eye becomes more elongated, oval

The causes of myopia can be different. Currently, there are several main factors:

1) Hereditary causes: a connection has been established between the existing myopia of parents and children. If both parents have myopia, then the risk of developing the disease in children under 18 is more than 50%. If both parents have normal vision, then myopia develops in no more than 10% of cases.

2) Intense visual loads at close range: the development of myopia is most often observed during school and student years, when visual loads are most intense.

3) Incorrect correction: it is very important when selecting glasses or contact lenses for the first time to follow the rules of correction and eliminate false myopia. To prevent the progression of myopia, it is necessary to follow the recommendations for wearing glasses (or contacts), as well as regularly check your vision.

4) Vascular factors: often myopia develops against the background of impaired blood supply to the eyes, against the background of various diseases.

5) Poor nutrition: lack of vitamins and microelements in the diet, which play an important role in the synthesis of tissues of the eye shell (sclera), as well as those involved in light perception.

Symptoms of myopia

The main symptom of myopia is decreased distance vision: objects appear unclear and blurry. At the same time, in order to improve the clarity of the picture, a person begins to squint (hence the name “myopia” - from “squinting eyes” from Greek). Up close, a person sees clearly. In addition, symptoms of myopia include increased visual fatigue and headaches that occur during visual stress.

Myopia in children - what is myopia?

Myopia in children (myopia) is a common defect in the development of the visual analyzer. At the same time, objects located nearby are clearly visible, but focusing on distant objects is very difficult. Such children may complain of fatigue and headaches. The causes of this disease can be different from hereditary predisposition to disturbances in visual load. Myopia in a child is often detected during an examination by an ophthalmologist. In this case, diagnosis includes not only an assessment of visual acuity, but also skiascopy, ophthalmoscopy and other techniques. Therapy is a comprehensive approach.

Myopia: prevalence and its types

Myopia in children is an ophthalmological disease, cases of which last years have increased significantly. Recent statistics indicate that more than a quarter of the total number of adolescents show signs of high myopia. Ophthalmologists are able to detect myopia by early stages in children 9 years old. Myopia is a disease that can be stopped if detected early, so it is important to undergo an examination by an ophthalmologist during the period of active growth and maturation of the child.

It is worth noting that newborn babies are born farsighted and this is considered the norm.

As the eye develops, it acquires a normal shape and vision becomes zero. This innate “farsightedness reserve” can reach +3.0. But if a child has these indicators at birth lower, for example, +2.5 diopters, then, in most cases, as he grows up, it smoothly turns into myopia weak degree. where, under the influence of additional factors, it can begin to develop more actively.

The reasons that led to the development of the disease include:

• increased visual stress;
• improper work and rest mode of the visual analyzer;
• malnutrition, etc.

Myopia may be birth defect, acquired or hereditary disease:

• With congenital myopia, the baby is born with an incorrectly formed eyeball. With active growth of the whole organism, it progresses rapidly.
• Acquired myopia often occurs in children of primary school age and adolescents. At this time, there is a significant load on the eyes, which leads to the development of the disease. More often than not, there are several reasons for the development of acquired myopia.
• Hereditary myopia develops under the influence of additional factors in children who have a predisposition to this disease through their parents.

This disease of both eyes is also divided by the number of diopters.

So, it could be:

• high degree, when correction is required over 6 diopters;
• medium degree (from 3 to 6 diopters);
• weak degree when corrected up to 3 diopters.

Myopia in children can be physiological, lenticular and pathological:

1. Lenticular myopia is often associated with a disease such as diabetes, or with concomitant pathology of the development of the eyeball - cataracts.
2. Physiological myopia in school-age children is quite common. This happens due to the active growth of the whole organism, including the child’s eyes. In most cases, such myopia stops its progression and therefore does not lead to disability.
3. Pathological myopia in a child can develop against the background of physiological one. It is characterized by rapid progression. In this case, the eyeball lengthens quite quickly. This condition can lead to disability.

High-stage myopia can subsequently significantly affect a person’s life, since such a diagnosis becomes an obstacle to a large number of professions.

Factors influencing the development of the disease

The following are the reasons for the development of myopia in childhood:

• Improper load on the visual organ is acquired myopia. While reading a book or permanent job When using a computer or gadgets, certain eye muscles tense. Regular tension leads to changes in the shape of the eyeball, which causes myopia. This is the type of myopia that develops in children. preschool age. If you do not take the necessary measures, then the disease of a low degree will very quickly turn into myopia of a high, more severe form.
• Malnutrition. Flaw essential vitamins and minerals in the diet are also reasons why myopia develops. To be more precise, a deficiency of magnesium, calcium and zinc, as well as vitamins A and B, leads to the development of pathology.
• Violation of visual load conditions (acquired myopia). These include external reasons why a child develops myopia. This could be reading in transport, incorrect posture during visual stress, poor lighting. Often these factors become the main ones in the development of myopia in children of preschool and school age.
• Reduced immune strength of the baby's body. This factor is not fundamental, but it is quite important. Ophthalmologists have noticed that weak and sickly children suffer from such visual impairment several times more often than their healthier peers.

Quite often, several factors influence the development of myopia in a child. For example, hereditary myopia may not develop if you adhere to the rules of visual stress, a balanced diet and carry out preventive eye exercises.

The need for an ophthalmological examination. Main signs of myopia in children

It has been said more than once that mild myopia, detected in time, can be stopped, and vision, provided complex treatment, restored. When high myopia is detected, all efforts of ophthalmologists are aimed at stopping the progression of the disease. Therefore, it is very important to detect the disease in time and begin treatment.

To do this, the first eye examination by an ophthalmologist is carried out in the maternity hospital. The doctor studies the medical history of the mother and father and determines the degree of predisposition to such pathological development of the eye analyzer. The period of gestation and the possible impact of diseases suffered during pregnancy on the formation of the visual system are also being studied. The first ophthalmological examination takes place at three months of age.

The doctor carefully examines:

• size and shape of eyeballs;
• their placement;
• the baby’s ability to focus his gaze on bright objects;
• condition of the cornea and lens;
• anterior chamber of the organ.

During the examination, pathological processes are determined. If such are found, then the baby is registered at the dispensary.

Quite often, at the age of 6 months, parents may notice strabismus in their baby. It may be temporary at first, but over time it becomes permanent. It is strabismus that can indicate the development of amblyopia, a frequent companion of myopia.

Need urgent consultation doctor Myopia in older children can be noticed and suspected, and independently.

The disease manifests itself:

• rapid fatigue when reading, writing;
• the child begins to blink rapidly;
• frequent complaints of headaches;
• tries to bring objects closer (observed with a high degree of myopia);
• change in position when reading or writing (leaning lower).

If at least one of the above signs is noticed, you need to consult an ophthalmologist. Remember, the earlier the disease is detected, the easier it is to stop its progression and restore visual acuity.

Treatment of the disease and its prevention

Most effective method Preventing the development of childhood myopia means instilling the correct visual skills from childhood:

• posture;
• reading while lying down or in transport is inadmissible;
• placing the sheets of a notebook or book 35 cm from the eyes;
• alternate load and rest on the visual analyzer;
• moderate time spent on the computer and gadgets (important for teenagers);
• good nutrition (foods rich in zinc, potassium, copper, vitamins A, B, C);
• Spending enough time for children in the fresh air.

Compliance with all these points will help reduce the possibility of myopia developing in a child. It is especially important to follow these rules if you have a predisposition to such a disease.

It is important for such children to be provided with good daylight during school hours. Therefore, you need to choose desks located close to the window.

Myopia therapy is complex. There is no miracle method that can immediately correct an acquired vision defect. Myopia in children is curable, but treatment should be approached comprehensively and all recommendations of an ophthalmologist should be followed.

• The initial task facing the doctor is to stop the development and progression of myopia, and vision correction. The doctor prescribes the necessary glasses. Contact lenses in this case they are not used for children, since they are very active, but for teenagers they can be used. The degree of myopia becomes the main factor in determining the constant or periodic wearing of glasses (in case of high myopia, they are always worn).
• Drug therapy for myopia in children involves taking vitamin complexes, designed specifically for ophthalmic problems. Your doctor may also prescribe a course of specially selected eye drops. Their main function is to reduce and remove tension from the muscles and restore blood circulation in the child’s visual organ. Drops are selected depending on the accompanying negative manifestations.
• In addition, ophthalmologists strongly recommend observing and monitoring the child’s visual stress, regularly performing eye exercises, playing more time in the fresh air, and regularly undergoing medical examinations.
• If so conservative treatment does not bring the desired result, and childhood myopia continues to progress or high-stage myopia is detected, then the doctor decides on the need surgical solution question. This could be scleroplasty or laser correction. But such a decision, as well as methods of complex conservative therapy, should be made only by a doctor after a thorough examination of the child.

The prognosis of a non-progressive disease is favorable in most cases. This myopia responds well to conservative treatment.

For more complex myopia, an integrated approach to therapy is required and surgery is possible. In most cases complex shape Myopia entails reduced visual function even after correction.