Many parents want to know whether a certain method works for preventing myopia. In fact, axial elongation caused by myopia is irreversible, just like height gain. Once myopia occurs, only its progression can be slowed down, and it cannot be cured.
1. Do Not Believe These Three Misconceptions
Misconception 1:
Blue‑light‑blocking glasses relieve eye strain
Blue‑light‑blocking glasses filter blue light and may ease eye strain to a certain extent. However, light intensity is reduced while blue light is filtered. At present, blue‑light‑blocking glasses are not recommended by academic circles.
Misconception 2:
Performing far‑near accommodation training
Vision training may sound professional, yet instead of spending money and time on accommodation training, children should return to normal visual environments in a timely manner. Current research indicates that sustained near‑work is a high‑risk factor for myopia. Ball sports requiring rapid eye movements deliver far greater preventive effects than accommodation training.
Misconception 3:
Eye drops can cure myopia
Popular eye drops on the market fall mainly into artificial tears, ocular‑muscle relaxants and mydriatic agents. Artificial tears such as sodium hyaluronate, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol mainly relieve dry eyes and exert no influence on the onset or progression of myopia. Ocular‑muscle relaxants, e.g. racemic anisodamine eye drops, may relieve excessive ciliary‑muscle tension to some extent, yet their therapeutic effect on true myopia remains inconclusive. Mydriatic drops include fast‑acting mydriatics (tropicamide) and slow‑acting mydriatics (atropine). Fast‑acting mydriatics with strong adrenergic mydriasis effects are generally not recommended for routine use. Slow‑acting mydriatics cause persistent blurred vision, which is poorly tolerated by many children. 0.01% low‑dose atropine eye drops can slow myopia progression and shall be used under physician guidance at formal medical institutions.
2. Master These Six Correct Practices
The following myopia‑prevention tips are for your reference:
1. Outdoor activities. Ensure children get 2 hours of outdoor activities each day.
2. Natural lighting. On sunny or overcast days, expose children to outdoor natural light with broad vision for better myopia prevention.
3. Proper posture. Follow the "one‑fist, one‑foot, one‑inch" rule for reading and writing. One fist: keep a fist‑width gap between chest and desk. One foot: keep eyes one foot (33 cm) away from books. One inch: hold pens one inch (3.3 cm) away from fingertips.
4. Correct eye‑use habits. Remember the "20‑20‑20" rule: after 20 minutes of near‑viewing, gaze at objects 20 feet (6 m) away for at least 20 seconds. This relaxes intraocular muscles to ease eye strain and control myopia progression.
5. Balanced nutrition. Maintain balanced and diversified diets; eat more fruits and vegetables, and limit sweets and fried food.
6. Professional examinations. Parents shall bring children for ophthalmologic examinations at formal medical institutions every three months or six months.