Myopia, Myopia (Gr. Miin - Close, One - Eye)

Visual impairment in which the objects in question are clearly visible only at close range. Newborns' eyes are usually farsighted. As the child grows, the size of his eyeball increases and by the age of 9-12 the eye takes on a strictly spherical shape. However, sometimes the eyeball lengthens somewhat in the anteroposterior direction, resulting in an increase in the distance from the pupil to the retina.

In such eyes, images of distant objects are focused not on the retina, but in front of it; a person sees these objects indistinctly, unclearly. Myopia develops. There are three degrees of B. - weak, medium and high. The degree of B. is judged by the optical power of the lens, which changes the direction of parallel rays entering the eye so much that they intersect on the retina.

If the eyeball continues to lengthen, the degree of myopia increases. In such cases, they say that myopia is progressing. Progression of myopia can lead to serious, irreversible changes in the eye and significant vision loss.

In most cases with myopia, the change in the shape of the eyeball is insignificant and visual acuity decreases only when looking into the distance.

Lens development is influenced by the state of accommodation (the ability of the lens to change its shape—to become more or less convex). B. usually develops in persons with weakened accommodation during prolonged and disorderly visual work at close range.

The development of myopia is facilitated by insufficient lighting of the workplace, incorrect sitting position when reading or writing, small or poor print, i.e. anything that makes you look too close to a book or notebook.

Sometimes B. develops with a hereditary predisposition. B. Ch. progresses to a high degree. arr. as a result of decreased elasticity of the sclera.

If myopia has occurred, then the main task is to stop or slow down its further development. It is no longer possible to eliminate myopia. Therefore, it is very important to notice the first signs of myopia.

The optical deficiency of a myopic eye must be corrected with appropriate glasses. Sometimes bifocals are prescribed, the lower half of which is designed for close-up work. For high myopia, contact lenses are prescribed.

As myopia progresses, drug treatment that improves the nutrition of eye tissue and strengthens its walls is of great benefit. Exercises to improve eye accommodation are useful.

To prevent the progression of myopia, it is important to maintain hygienic conditions during visual work and limit visual stress. It is especially important for people with high myopia to follow all doctor’s recommendations. Measures to prevent myopia include creating favorable conditions for visual work.