An “epidemic” of myopia has begun in schools

Learning is the light that blinds

Rosobrnadzor issued a statement that from 30 to 50% of schoolchildren in Russia have some degree of myopia. During classes, children often complain of dry eyes and a blurry image of objects. And ophthalmologists are just sounding the alarm. They say that the day is not far off when every second will be short-sighted, and a schoolchild’s sharp eyesight will become an exception.

Even 15-20 years ago, a child wearing glasses was uncomfortable in the classroom – he was called a bespectacled man or even worse. But now a good half of the class is wearing glasses, so no one teases anyone. There is competition for the first desks – but not among the excellent students, but among those who do not see well.

The same Rosobrnadzor not only intimidates, but also makes recommendations. Hang less on gadgets and spend less time at the computer. Organize a “visual mode”: think over good lighting and ergonomics of the child’s workplace, do gymnastics, “eye” and regular … In reality, all these rules are quite far from life.

– If we compare the present day with the same conditions 20 years ago, the school curriculum has become more complicated, – say the teacher of the Moscow school Svetlana. More stress in class and homework. The eyes of the guys get tired, of course. Children are now loaded and overworked, they have almost no time for walks. Yes, just ride down the hill, there is no time to go to the rink. And in their free time, everyone is stuck on their phones. Previously, they ran at least during breaks. Now everyone is sitting in the corners with phones.

Experts announce that a “pandemic of myopia” is sweeping the planet and has reached the Russian Federation. According to WHO forecasts, by 2050, 50% of the world’s population will suffer from myopia (now half as much so far). Domestic scientists of the clinic. Helmholtz, Eye Microsurgery and St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University conducted a study of the growth dynamics of myopia in schoolchildren. There were 2.4% of myopic pupils in the 1st grade. By the 5th grade the number of nearsighted children increased 8 times, by the 11th grade 38.6% became myopic. The study confirmed the hypothesis about the negative impact of the complexity of the curriculum on vision. If in ordinary general education schools 30.9% of students were short-sighted, then in gymnasiums and lyceums there were 50.7% of such students.

– Yes, indeed, myopia has become younger, – says ophthalmologist Natalya Mildret. “This is a disease with a high genetic risk. If someone in the family suffered from myopia, it is likely to be passed on to children. As for classrooms, which are often crowded, there is not very good side lighting for most children.

It is desirable that each desk has individual light sources. The chairs are uncomfortable, without a headrest. The height of the desks is not adjustable, which is also bad. Children grow differently, you know. Tall ones have to bend over, stoop, small children reach out to see the board. As a result, the muscles of the neck and shoulder area are overstrained, there is a tone, poor blood circulation, which negatively affect vision. But even with perfect posture, sitting for 45 minutes is not very good for children, dynamic pauses are needed. “Blue” light from fluorescent lamps is harmful, and ophthalmologists do not get tired of talking about it. But for some reason, fluorescent lighting still prevails in schools. To this, you can add dry air from batteries in winter, which dries the mucous membrane of the eye.

As for computers and gadgets, they are not harmful in themselves – vision problems provoke overstrain, eye fatigue. I am far from recommending not to give children phones at all or only for half an hour a day. This is unrealistic now. But at least limiting the time of daytime viewing to 2 hours in elementary school, 3-4 in middle school and 5 in high school is quite possible. And not in a row to watch, breaks are needed.

Yes, there are quite a few exercises for the eyes, exercises with a point on the glass and so on. Practice shows that neither children nor parents are enough for them. Therefore, I can advise, especially those who have people with myopia in their family, not to neglect the drops, although they may cause discomfort in the child. And a long course of 3-4 months to drip. If you already have glasses, order lenses with an anti-blue film. Have your eyes checked regularly by a specialist, especially if you notice that the child has begun to squint frequently.