Myopia is a violation of eye refraction , that is, an image is formed in front of the retina (normally this should occur on it). This deviation is also called myopia.
Characteristic signs: objects near are clearly visible, in the distance - blurry. A cure for this pathology of vision is possible. It can be: a set of exercises, laser therapy, hardware treatment, alternative methods.
Description
How marvelously built a man is - his body, internal systems, as well as the brain, heart, sensory organs. Including the visual apparatus - the eyes.
Indeed, thanks to them, one can observe the physical world, other people, natural phenomena, objects, animals, birds. Also, with the help of vision, a person can read, work at a computer, watch movies or television shows, draw and so on.
When all organs and systems work perfectly, it becomes familiar. And it doesn’t surprise, it doesn’t make some people happy.
But there are those who from birth (or lost during life for any reason) are deprived of the opportunity to see. Or it happens that vision is not normal, and everything around is already seen in a distorted, blurry version ...
Scientists involved in research in this area argue that myopia is a problem in modern civilization. This is the most common deviation in the functioning of the visual apparatus in more than half of people suffering from eye diseases.
Myopia (according to scientific myopia) is a violation in the perception of the image of external objects. It is formed not on the retina (as it should be normal), but in front of it. And as a result - a person sees blurry contours and outlines of distant objects.
Causes of myopia
Distinguish between physiological and social.
The first include:
- heredity (if both parents suffer from this ailment, the likelihood that children will also develop myopia is 50%; if only one of them, and the second has normal vision, the probability is reduced to 8%);
- congenital pathology of the eye muscle (the ciliary muscle is not able to accommodate for a long time, which leads to an increase in the eyeball and the occurrence of myopia);
- violation of the blood supply to the eyes;
- general condition of the body.
The second includes the following reasons:
- large loads on the visual apparatus (more often observed in schoolchildren and students who fall ill with myopia for graduation);
- reading and other visual activity (for example, the proximity of the book relative to the eyes, lack of lighting);
- watching TV at close range;
- gadgets, computer load (long work without interruption every 40 minutes);
- climatic conditions;
- racial features in the structure of the eyes and so on.
This disease is observed both in adults and in children (especially 5-12 years old).
Myopia treatment helps improve vision, even raise it to 100%.
Preventive actions aimed at maintaining the visual apparatus are also indicative. These are vitamins, exercises for the eyes, physiotherapeutic techniques.
Myopia in children
Treatment, correction and prevention of visual impairment for a child under 18 years of age are standard:
- the appointment of glasses with optical glasses or contact lenses;
- the use of a vitamin complex, proper nutrition;
- limited (in time) watching TV, gadgets (including games on a computer);
- proper lighting of the workplace;
- acceptable loads when reading, writing;
- physiotherapeutic procedures;
- exercises for vision (according to Zhdanov, Avetisov and others).
Naturally, for children sometimes all these rules, restrictions and exercises are not at all a joy, since you have to wear hated glasses, drink pills, practically do not watch cartoons and limit yourself to computer games. And also do stupid exercises and periodically undergo all sorts of hardware procedures.
But nevertheless, a serious approach is needed in this matter (primarily from the side of the parents), since support (or restoration) of vision from childhood will become a guarantee of health in adulthood.
But it is important not to go too far in the treatment of myopia in children, because if there is excessive pressure on the child, he can generally begin to sharply resist all good intentions on the part of the parents, refusing to follow all the instructions of the optometrist.
In general, children love when a game form is applied to them. Especially until 6-7 years. Although schoolchildren will also believe more in good, inspiring beliefs than in dry orders that everything is done for the good of the child.
Treatment methods
In the modern world there are enough ways to eliminate or prevent this visual impairment. Some of them are suitable for children.
The main methods of treating myopia:
- Drug treatment.
- Hardware treatment or physiotherapeutic methods.
- Surgical (laser correction, lens replacement, lens implantation, radial keratotomy).
- Folk.
Let's consider each of them in more detail.
Hardware treatment
This method is suitable for both children and adults. This technique does not cure myopia, but it helps to stop its development and is prophylactic with normal vision.
The hardware treatment of myopia is well combined with the implementation of special sets of exercises, taking vitamins and other drugs, which also contribute to improving or maintaining the functioning of the ocular apparatus.
Some of them:
- A computer program for correcting vision with myopia is an innovation that is actively used in modern ophthalmology. It is used to treat ailment in children, evaluates the speed of visual search, develops attention. You can work separately with the left or right eye, as well as both. The most famous interactive program is “Flower”. The essence is this: the patient is offered the same type, but with complications, tasks where it is necessary to find a symbol among several. Size changes (from largest to smallest), speed, and so on. All results are recorded and examined by the attending physician.
- A light-emitting simulator is a fairly effective and harmless treatment that is used even for babies. The bottom line: the patient puts on glasses, and the doctor directs light of different colors on him (also the amplitude is different), which affects the nervous system of the affected eye.
- Electrophoresis is an absolutely painless treatment method that is also applicable to young children and adults. Using a constant or pulsed current, special preparations are introduced into the human body through the mucous membranes, which help to improve the state of the organs of vision.
- Infrared laser is a method, the essence of which is that the eye is exposed to a red beam, due to which the axis is aligned (in the visual apparatus).
- Magnetotherapy is indicated for young and middle-aged children. Correction of vision through exposure to the eyes with magnets that are placed on tightly covered eyelids.
- Sinoptofor - a set of training exercises on a special electronic device, in which 2 pictures are combined into one. This method trains the capabilities of the visual apparatus, increases the mobility of the eyeballs.
- Massage is an important part of the overall treatment of myopia. The most beneficial effect is manual massage of the collar area.
Folk methods
At home, myopia can also be treated. Of course, it may not be possible to restore vision to 100%, but it is quite possible to maintain it or prevent deterioration.
First of all, the complexes of exercises - according to Norbekov, Zhdanov, Avetisov. This is described in more detail in the next section of the article.
Berry cocktail is an indispensable tool in the treatment of myopia (for prevention and in the initial stage). You can make it from blackcurrant, blueberry, honey and aloe. Visual acuity is gradually returning, the blood supply to the eyeballs is normalizing.
Beetroot infusion - from beet tops and water. Grind the leaves and pour cold water, heat treat on the stove - 20 minutes. Use cotton pads to make compresses. It relaxes the muscles of the eyes, normalizes blood pressure.
A decoction of leaves of berries is prepared on the basis of green currants, viburnum, gooseberries. Also do eye compresses.
Exercise complex
This is an excellent tool for the prevention of myopia, as well as for early diagnosis. Although there are cases when myopia of moderate degree (from 3 to 6 diopters), due to the performance of exercises for vision, was translated into the category of weak (within 3 diopters).
All currently existing complexes aimed at preventing or improving the condition of the ocular apparatus (treatment for myopia, hyperopia) are reduced to the following basic exercises:
- Blinking with both eyes for 1-2 minutes.
- Eye movements: up-down, left-right, diagonally - 10 times each.
- Eye rotation - clockwise and vice versa - 10 times.
- Strong closure and opening of the eyelids - 10 times.
- Focusing your gaze on a distant object (figure) and on the near - 10 times.
- Four-finger pressure on the closed eyelids - 4 times.
- Massage of the upper eyelids (with eyes closed) - clockwise - 1-2 minutes.
For kids, all these positions can be offered in a playful way: using your favorite toy (which also “does exercises for eyesight”), throwing balls into the basket, observing people, trees, birds from the window.
No matter what the doctors say, this method of treating myopia without surgery also has positive effects.
Drug treatment
With this method, the disruption of the ophthalmic apparatus is not restored in full, but it is possible to prevent an even greater decrease in vision. Also, medicines and vitamins can be combined with the hardware treatment of myopia and the implementation of a set of exercises.
The effectiveness of the method lies in the fact that drops and preparations improve the blood circulation of the eyeballs, nourish the internal visual structures (for example, the eye sclera), and maintain the current state of the eyes.
But before deciding on this method of treatment, it is necessary to consult with the attending ophthalmologist, since the development of myopia in each patient is individual (with its own nuances).
The most popular medicines:
- B vitamins, as well as vitamin C and calcium gluconate, help relieve spasm of the eye muscles and strengthen the eye sclera (ascorbic acid).
- Atropine 0.5% solution is effective, but rarely used in ophthalmology, as it has some side effects for the body.
- "Tropicamide" helps to relax the eye muscles, stops the focus of the visual organs.
- "Taufon" - a solution that buries the eyes at night, improves metabolism in the retina.
- Trental is a drug for improving blood circulation in the vessels of the eyeballs.
Surgery
Surgery today is the most effective method of getting rid of myopia. Of course, the probability of an unexpected result (negative) is still there, but the percentage of a positive outcome (complete recovery of vision) is high (9 out of 10 patients are cured).
Laser correction
The most effective correction of myopia is laser treatment. The operation lasts a minimum amount of time, does not imply any pain or other discomfort, the patient quickly recovers after it.
Laser myopia is treated with a beam that acts on the cornea, normalizing the shape of the lens.
For such an operation, the necessary conditions are necessary:
- sterility;
- humidity;
- temperature;
- depth of exposure.
Otherwise, the laser equipment stops its work.
Such a correction is indicated for people 18 years and older. Sometimes, with the consent of the attending ophthalmologist, children from 14 years old are given.
Implantation of a new lens
This method of treating myopia is quite new. It is subdivided into such operational methods:
- The living lens is replaced by an artificial lens (intraocular lens). It is indicative of a high degree of myopia in people from 40 years of age and older. Normalization of the visual apparatus lasts several days.
- An implant is placed on the patient’s living lens. The method is suitable for adults aged 25-45 years, if the ability of the eyes to accommodate is still there.
In any case, if you decide to treat myopia with surgery (stationary), the recommendations of your ophthalmologist are necessary.
Prevention
The simplest and most accessible for everyone prevention of the occurrence of myopia - both for children and adults - is the implementation of several easy recommendations:
- When reading a book, the distance from the eyes to the page should be 35 centimeters.
- Try to read less while lying down (also monitor lighting when reading in bed) and in vehicles (where there is constant vibration).
- Work in bright light, the correct location of the table lamp (left).
- Healthy lifestyle (regular exercise, normal exercise, proper and systemic nutrition, drinking plenty of fluids per day, giving up bad habits).
- Performing a set of exercises for vision - from 2 times a day (in a standing or sitting position).
Reviews
About the treatment of myopia (hardware, medication, folk, operative) there is feedback from the parents of children who are registered with ophthalmologists, as well as adults who have undergone treatment.
Drug treatment and gymnastics for the eyes help restore vision from -1.5 diopters (both eyes) to 100% (drops, exercise glasses, exercises).
The advantages of laser vision correction for adults: the ability to undergo diagnostics and treatment in one day, the operation itself lasts 7 minutes, without pain (short discomfort, but tolerable), vision is restored to 100%. The recovery process after surgery, according to reviews, is very fast (several days). Patients say that vision at 100% has been holding for more than 2 years (without any additional procedures, vitamins and exercises).
Summary
As has been repeatedly noted above, with myopia, light rays (forming an image) are focused not on the retina itself, but in front of it.
And the task of any correction (glasses, lenses, exercises, operations, drops, vitamins and so on) is to direct these light rays in the right direction so that they intersect where they are supposed to (that is, on the retina of the eye).
In general, the ocular apparatus is a very complex “device”. The visible part is the eyes. But behind them are still the optic nerves, interconnected with the cerebral cortex, in which the processing of the image perceived by the eyes takes place. This whole mechanism is called vision.
And it is better to protect it from a young age!