Nearsightedness and Prevention Methods in Children

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a refractive error in which the image is focused in front of the retina rather than on it. As a result, the child sees only nearby objects clearly, while distant objects appear blurry. This can be caused by increased refractive power of the crystalline lens and cornea, as well as by elongation of the eyeball.

The first sign of myopia is often difficulty distinguishing objects at a distance. Children move closer to the board, squint, or experience discomfort when reading at a distance. In the dark, their orientation deteriorates, and constant eye strain can cause eye pain and headaches associated with muscular asthenopia.

Myopia can be congenital, which is rare, or acquired, most often appearing in early school age. The rate of progression depends on the intensity of visual stress, hereditary predisposition, and the condition of the outer layer of the eye—the sclera.

Near visual work has a significant impact on the development of myopia. Prolonged use of smartphones, tablets, and computers accelerates the progression of myopia, while time spent outdoors plays a protective role. Children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to experience progressive visual impairment.

Genetic predisposition also plays a role: if one parent suffers from myopia, the likelihood of a child developing myopia is approximately 50%, and if both parents suffer from myopia, the risk is up to 80%. Metabolic and circulatory disorders in the sclera accelerate the progression of the disease.

A range of measures are used to prevent and treat myopia in children. These include proper eye hygiene, limiting prolonged work with small objects, active outdoor play, and hardware treatments using myostimulation, laser stimulation, and specialized computer programs. Regular eye muscle training helps maintain visual reserve capacity and slows the progression of myopia.