During my career as a doctor, I have encountered countless misconceptions and confusions about myopia. Every day, I receive patients from all ages who come to seek help with a variety of eye problems, with myopia being the most common one. Today, I'd like to share a particular patient's story and how to help you better understand myopia and how it's treated.
The patient was a fourteen-year-old middle school student named Xiao Li. Xiao Li began to wear glasses when he was in the first grade, but his myopia deepened year by year, and he had to change his glasses almost every six months in junior high school. Xiao Li's parents were very anxious and worried that his eyes would continue to deteriorate and even go blind. They brought Xiao Li to my clinic, hoping to find a cure for myopia.
Through careful examination and in-depth conversations with Xiao Li and his parents, I found that many people's understanding of myopia is full of misunderstandings. They believe that myopia can be completely cured or that there is some kind of medication that can control the progression of myopia. In fact, myopia is mainly due to the growth of the eyeball axis, which is an irreversible physiological change. Although we cannot completely cure myopia, we can take effective measures to control its progression and reduce the impact on daily life and vision.
The basic knowledge of myopia is popular
In my career as an ophthalmologist, I have found that many people have many misconceptions about myopia. Today, I would like to share with you some basics about myopia to help you better understand this widespread problem that affects vision.
What is myopia?
Myopia, also known as myopia, is a common refractive abnormality that makes it difficult to see distant objects and near objects appear clearer. This condition is usually caused by the anteroposterior diameter of the eyeball being longer than the normal eyeball, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina and creating a blurry image of hyperopia.
How does myopia develop?
The development of myopia is often related to genetic and environmental factors. If a parent has myopia, the likelihood of a child developing myopia increases. In addition, lifestyle habits, especially prolonged engagement in close activities such as reading, using computers and mobile phones, have also been identified as key factors in the increase of myopia.
Different types and levels of myopia
Low-grade myopia: Usually refers to myopia within -3.00 diopters. People can see closer objects clearly, but distant objects become blurry.
Moderate myopia: diopter between -3.00 and -6.00. This degree of myopia may require glasses or contact lenses to improve vision, especially when looking at distant objects.
High myopia: refractive power over -6.00. People with high myopia may have a higher risk of eye diseases such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts and require regular eye exams.
Why myopia cannot be "cured"
As an ophthalmologist, I often encounter requests from patients in the clinic who want to "cure" their myopia. However, based on current medical research and understanding, we need to be clear: a "cure" in the traditional sense, i.e. a complete reversal of the state of myopia, is not possible. Here, I will explain why myopia cannot be "cured" and discuss some of the management strategies we can adopt.
Irreversibility of myopia
Myopia, or "myopia", is a change in the structure of the eye in which the eyeball becomes too long, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina and form a blurry image of hyperopia. This change in morphology is irreversible. Once the axial length of the eyeball increases, we currently have no medical means to restore the eyeball to its original length.
Medical research and data support
Years of research have shown that even the most advanced treatments available, such as laser correction surgery, simply change the curvature of the cornea to help focus, rather than shorten the actual length of the eyeball. So, while these methods are effective in improving vision and allowing patients to see more clearly without glasses, they are technically not a "cure" for myopia per se.
Manage, not cure
Recognizing that myopia cannot be cured, our goal turned to managing and controlling its progression. This is especially important for children and adolescents, as timely intervention can significantly slow the progression of myopia during the period when their eyeballs are growing rapidly. This includes getting enough time outdoors, limiting time for near life, and using glasses or contact lens products that can control the progression of myopia.
Myopia management in everyday life
As an ophthalmologist, I often encounter patients in the outpatient clinic who are confused about how to manage myopia. Today, I'm going to share some scientific ways to control the progression of myopia and help you better understand what you can do in your daily life.
1. Monitor screen time
Excessive use of electronic screens is a common factor in exacerbating myopia. It is recommended to take at least 15 minutes of rest away from the screen after every 45 minutes of work. Also, keep a distance of at least 40-60 cm between the screen and your eyes, and use an appropriate screen brightness to reduce the burden on your eyes.
2. Improve reading posture
Posture while reading also has an important impact on vision. Maintain a correct sitting posture and keep books or reading materials slightly below eye level, about 30 cm away from the eyes. Avoid reading in low-light environments, which can aggravate eye strain.
3. Increase outdoor activities
Studies have shown that spending at least two hours a day outdoors can significantly slow the progression of myopia. Natural light is good for the eyes, and long-range vision can help the eyes relax and reduce the stress of working in close proximity for long periods of time.
4. Regular eye exams
Regular eye examinations allow for early detection of myopic changes and appropriate management. It is especially important for children, as early detection and measures can be effective in controlling the progression of myopia.
5. Rational food
Maintain a balanced diet and ensure adequate intake of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which are necessary for eye health. For example, carrots, dark green vegetables, and fish should be part of the daily diet.