What should I pay attention to when fitting glasses for my child?

Children under the age of 18 are still developing physically, and they have a heavy academic burden and need to use their eyes at close range. If they do not pay attention to the scientific use of their eyes, they may accidentally trigger the switch of myopia. Wang Tingting, a member of the Ophthalmology Technology Quality Control and Management Group of the Medical Technician Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, a national second-level optometrist, and the optometry supervisor of the Aier Eye Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University (Aier Eye Hospital Group Hubei General Hospital), tells you that you must know the following truths about myopia.

Q1. Which age group is more likely to be myopic?

In recent years, the age of myopia onset has significantly advanced. In terms of age groups, the myopia growth rate of children aged 6 to 10 is higher than that of children aged 11 to 18. Therefore, myopia prevention should be started as early as possible.

Q2. What should I do if my child becomes myopic?

On the one hand, according to the doctor's advice, wear glasses to correct myopia in accordance with the results of medical optometry. At the same time, correct bad eye habits, increase daytime outdoor activities, and control the progression of myopia.

On the other hand, by establishing and improving refractive development files, patients go to the hospital for optometry review every 3 to 6 months. Combined with data such as visual acuity, eye position, eye axis, corneal curvature, etc., they can timely understand the changes in eye development and visual acuity, and intervene and control them in a timely manner.

Q3. Do I need to wear glasses if I can’t see clearly?

The reasons for children's blurred vision include myopia, pseudomyopia, astigmatism, moderate to high hyperopia or some pediatric eye diseases, which may affect vision and cause blurred vision. If you first find your child's vision is abnormal, you should go to a regular ophthalmology hospital for examination and diagnosis as soon as possible, and only prescribe glasses to correct it if it is confirmed to be myopia.

Q4. What should I pay attention to when fitting glasses for my child?

Children's ciliary muscles have strong adjustment capabilities, and simple computer optometry cannot accurately obtain the child's true myopia degree. For most children, visual function tests or mydriasis optometry can eliminate the influence of over-adjustment on the optometry results, thereby obtaining accurate refractive power and formulating appropriate myopia correction plans.

Q5. How to prevent myopia from rapidly worsening?

Zhou Chao, a member of the Medical Technician Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, a national first-level (senior) optometrist, and director of the optometry department of the Aier Eye Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University (Aier Eye Hospital Group Hubei General Hospital), said: In addition to genetic factors, the occurrence and development of myopia are mainly caused by bad eye behavior and environment. For example, continuous close-range eye use, few outdoor activities, and incorrect eye posture. To prevent myopia from further deepening, we must start with eye hygiene and the development of scientific eye habits.

In addition, insist on regular eye examinations, or combine the doctor's advice to use corneal reshaping lenses and other scientific control methods.