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1 OUT OF EVERY 4 CHILDREN CAN’T SEE FAR! MYOPIA LOWERS SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT: THERE ARE 5 SIGNALS
In recent years, there has been a serious increase in the problem of myopia in children, in other words, the inability to see clearly from a distance, Medicalpark Florya Hospital head of department Prof. Dr., explained 5 important signals of myopia.
Today, especially the increase in the use of digital technology and the decrease in time spent outdoors can cause significant health problems in children. For example, myopia, which is the most common in children and can seriously affect eye health, in other words, it leads to a problem of not being able to see clearly from a distance… Moreover, it is stated that there has been a serious increase in the incidence of myopia in children in recent years.
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Although studies show that myopia affects one out of every four children, according to the World Health Organization, about half of the population is expected to be myopic by 2050.
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Eye Diseases Specialist in Istanbul Hospital Prof. Dr. pointing out that myopia can negatively affect children’s school success and social life, he said, “So much so that a child who cannot see the blackboard eventually decreases his interest in classes and his grades begin to decline. However, with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the progression of the farsightedness problem can be kept under control or even prevented. Therefore, children should be encouraged by their parents to have eye examinations every 6 months or once a year, especially at school age, before schools open, and to adopt healthy lifestyle habits,” he says. Prof. Dr. it also points out that children should participate in more outdoor activities and their screen viewing time should be controlled by their parents to reduce the risk of myopia.
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6 IMPORTANT RULES FOR MYOPIA
The important thing in treatment and follow-up is to keep the progression of myopia under control. Eye Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. lists the rules that parents should pay attention to in the problem of myopia as follows:
1- Limit their close activities during the day, such as smartphone and tablet use, as much as possible.
2- During the close activity process, make him take a break for 20 seconds every 20 minutes and rest his eyes by looking about 20 meters away.
3- Encourage him to spend at least one hour a day outdoors and in daylight, preferably with crowded sports activities.
4- Make sure that at home, especially the study room is well lit.
5- If he is three years old, do not let him use smartphones and tablets. If they are in the four-to-six age group, make sure that the use of smartphones and tablets does not exceed 45 minutes. If there is a longer use, arrange it so that it is in two or three separate time periods.
6- Most importantly, make eye examination a habit every 6 months or annually.
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DIGITAL HABITS INCREASE THE RISK OF MYOPIA
Myopia refers to an eye problem in which distant objects appear blurred and close objects appear clearer as a result of the deterioration of the optical system of the eye. Light rays entering the eye through the cornea, the most anterior layer of the eye, reach the lens of the eye through the pupil. The cornea and the lens of the eye refract the light rays so that the light falls exactly on the retina. Normally, when the eye light is focused on the retina, a clear image is formed. The inability to see clearly from a distance, that is, in myopia, the light rays entering the eye fall not on the retina, but slightly in front of it and, as a result, cause blurred vision. The main cause of myopia in children is usually a genetic predisposition. Therefore, children with a family history of myopia are at a higher risk. Prof. Dr., however, emphasizes that modern lifestyle can also trigger myopia, “Long-term computer, tablet and mobile phone use and a lifestyle devoid of outdoor activities can also increase the risk of myopia,” he says.
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TREATMENT AT AN EARLY STAGE STOPS PROGRESS
The problem of blurred vision from a distance due to myopia is usually corrected with the use of glasses or lenses and the child’s clear vision is ensured. Eye Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. lists the treatment options that make it possible to see clearly and stop the progression of myopia as follows:
1- Glasses and contact lenses: Both methods are widely used to correct children’s eyesight. In the glasses application, the progression of myopia can be stopped with new glasses that have the exact number in the center and the number towards the periphery decreases.
2- Drip therapy: progression of myopia can be stopped with the use of atropine-derived drops at very low concentrations. However, when it is decided to use these drops, the systemic diseases and predispositions of the child must be investigated. Because it is known that it can form side effects in the presence of heart diseases and asthma.
3- Orthokeratology: Special lenses worn during the night provide temporary improvement of myopia.
4- Laser Surgery: Laser surgery may be an option for some children when they reach a certain age, but it is usually postponed to adulthood.
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5 IMPORTANT SIGNALS OF MYOPIA
1- Having difficulty reading articles that are located far away
2- Feeling the need to approach writing in order to read
3- Constantly squinting while watching TV or trying to see distant objects
4- Needing to blink the eyes frequently
5- Having a problem with headaches or eye strain
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Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.
Physician's Resume:
Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.
Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.
In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.
Awards:
Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.
Certificates:
Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .
Professional Members:
American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.
Disclaimer:
Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.