Eyeglasses

Timing for correction: Poor eyesight caused by abnormal refraction (possibly myopia with astigmatism). If the words are not clear on the blackboard and whiteboard in class, which will affect children's study, and they would squint at things, tilt their head or look sideways, and always like to move forward when watching TV, they need to consider wearing a pair of glasses.

If you have visual development problems (i.e. amblyopia), be sure to wear glasses as soon as possible to avoid delaying amblyopia treatment.

If the power of original lens used falls by 1.0 D, or the corrected vision is below 20/40, it is necessary to change the lens, and the original lens can be used for close use.

For Bifocal lenses or progressive multi-focus lenses, 1.5 D-2.0 D reduction in the near-sightedness part can lessen the accommodation for near work. With the use of mydriatics, it can provide clear and appropriate vision at close and long distances and delay the worsening of the vision.

Medication

At present, there is only one known effective drug - muscle relaxants, which have the effect of dilating pupils, hence the name of mydriatics. By reducing the contraction of ciliary muscles, delaying the growth of the optical axis and the worsening of myopia, it can also treat pseudomyopia caused by excessive contraction of ciliary muscles.

Different concentrations can be used to adjust the duration of action. For the most commonly used Atropine, 0.5% action time is 5-7 days, while 0.05% and 0.1% action time is 12-18 hours.

Generally, it is advised to use it once a day before finishing homework or going to bed at night.

Because of its mydriasis effect, there may be photophobia in the sunshine. During outdoor activities, wear a hat to shade the sun and avoid looking directly at the sun. In addition, anti-ultraviolet lenses can be used.

Contact lenses

Soft contact lenses are not recommended for use by junior high school students or younger, while rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses worn during the day can provide better corrected visual acuity, and some studies have suggested that they can delay the worsening of the vision. However, attention must be paid to cleaning, maintenance and wearing time to avoid damage to cornea and other surface tissues of the eye.

RGP contact lenses are used to compress the cornea and change the refractive radian of the anterior surface of the cornea to reduce or eliminate myopia and astigmatism. The lenses worn at night and removed in the morning can provide adequate vision for study and work during the day, and can delay the deepening of myopia.

The new generation of lens design can reduce a power of 3.0- 5.0 D. But patients need to wear them every day because if discontinued, the version will be restored to the original state. Attention should be paid to the possible damage to the cornea when wearing it during night sleep.

In the process of cleaning and maintenance, more attention should be paid to complete cleaning and sterilizing, so as to avoid corneal ulcer caused by contamination. Never use tap water to wash lenses to avoid the loss of vision caused by Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Prescribing various contact lenses, especially corneal plastic lenses, are medical practices according to the regulations of the Department of Health. They must be correctly evaluated by ophthalmologists before being prescribed contact lenses.

Myopia surgery

It is a method that can permanently eliminate myopia and astigmatism, but it is not fit for patients whose vision is not stable before the age of 18. The operation can only address myopia and prevent the patient from wearing glasses or contact lenses, but it cannot treat higher myopia associated with ocular comorbidities.

Although there is no positive evidence to prove that various eye massages, eye-care exercises and long-distance gaze actively promoted in primary and secondary schools are effective methods for myopia treatment, it is economical and convenient to implant the concept of visual health care in every child through continuous education and practice.