“Ksyusha wore glasses, but her vision only got worse”: is it possible to stop the development of myopia?

At the age of seven, Ksyusha was diagnosed with myopia, or, as it is otherwise called, myopia. Now 38% of children in Ulan-Ude suffer from myopia, which is almost every fourth child, and our little heroine was among them.

Doctors say the main reason for the development of this disease is “blue” rays from smartphones, TVs and computer monitors. Russia's leading ophthalmologist Ibragimova Rano Vakhidovna, who has been practicing since 1993 and regularly trains optometrists and consultants at the Ulan-Ude salon "Optics Seseg", told who is susceptible to developing this disease, how to understand that it is beginning to develop, and what measures to take to save baby's vision.

Why do you need sunglasses?

The sun in the eyes is unpleasant and harmful. When the rays hit the face, the following happens:

• the quality of vision temporarily decreases;

Found trouble in the park? You can close your eyes and the problem is solved. And for drivers, such “lighting” will cause an accident.

• the symptom of “dry eye” develops;

When a person is exposed to the sun for a long time, less tear fluid is produced. The sclera dries out, a burning sensation and pain appear.

• diseases appear.

Extended exposure to direct sunlight damages not only your skin, but also your eyesight. Photokeratitis, pinguecula, retinopathy, and pterygium develop. These diseases can be successfully treated by an ophthalmologist, but they can be prevented by wearing sunglasses in time.

Introverts note that they feel more emotionally comfortable wearing dark glasses. They seem to be fenced off from prying eyes.

Also, “clubmasters” and “butterflies” protect against sand, dust, and debris getting into the eyes. Those caught in a sandstorm tend to choose sun protection in advance.

Important! Both adults and children need sun protection. Prolonged exposure to UV rays damages the lens. For children, this can result in the development of farsightedness.

How do glasses with “zero” lenses work?

The frames of glasses without diopters can be of any shape - round, oval, rectangular, in different colors and from different materials. It is selected according to your face type and desired style. It is best to make such things to order, but this will cost a little more than a ready-made model, and you will also have to wait from several hours to several days.

The opinion that simple glasses are used in such glasses is erroneous. In fact, the material from which “zero” lenses are made is subject to no less stringent requirements than optical products. This material can be either glass or transparent plastic. In both cases, an anti-reflective, dust- and moisture-proof coating is applied to the surface of the lens, as well as several layers of anti-reflective coating, which contributes to the normal flow of light to the eyes. If glasses are made in violation of technology, their use will be uncomfortable: vision may deteriorate, headaches and other unpleasant sensations may appear.

How to choose sunglasses?

Prices for wayfarers and browlines start from 200 rubles. Every season a new style is in fashion: sometimes aviators, sometimes quiet ones, sometimes “cat’s eyes”. Let's find out how to choose the right sunglasses so that they remain relevant for a long time.

Choosing a frame

Frames are made from the following materials:

• plastic;
• polymer compounds;
• metal.

Metal frames are stronger than plastic ones. They will last longer, but also cost more.

You can choose high-quality frames from any material. Before purchasing, turn the accessory in your hands, open and close the arms several times. They should move easily. Be sure to check the screws that secure the arms. The screws must be tightened tightly.

Choosing lenses

They differ in material, color, light transmission and type of protection.

Based on material, they are divided into plastic and glass. Plastic will suit those who are looking for a product for sports or driving. Acrylic or polycarbonate lenses are more difficult to damage. If a breakdown does occur, the plastic will not crumble into dust. Such lenses are considered safer because... the sclera and cornea are less likely to be injured. Plastic lenses provide better protection from UV rays.

Glass lenses look more impressive and are more expensive. If damaged, their fragments will injure the eye.

The entire lens must be colored evenly. Otherwise, your eyes will be tense all the time.

The intensity of the color does not matter. “The darker the glass, the more benefits” is a wrong idea. Both black and gray lenses can provide equal protection.

With glasses you should see the world the same way you saw it without glasses. If everything becomes a different color, the product is of poor quality.

The degree of light transmission cannot be determined empirically. There should be a sticker marked from 0 to 4.

Most models have stickers indicating the level of protection against UV radiation:

• the “UV-400” or “100% UVA” label indicates 100% protection;
• the “UV-380” label is about 95%.

Is it dangerous! Don't buy near the metro.

Kiosks sell cheap replicas of famous brands. This product is dangerous. Its lenses are dark, but do not protect against ultraviolet radiation. The dark lens causes the pupil to dilate. This causes the eye to absorb even more harmful UV rays.

These glasses make your eyes uncomfortable and cause:

• "flies";
• lacrimation;
• burning, pain.

Usually, unpleasant symptoms disappear as soon as the counterfeit is removed. But if you wear a fake for a long time, the risk of developing ophthalmic diseases increases.

Sunglasses differ in the type of protection:

• mirrored;

Reflect the rays of the sun, suitable for relaxing at ski resorts.

• polarizing;

Optimal type of protection: suitable for everyone. They cope better on the beach, on the water, in the mountains, on the road. A polarizing filter protects against glare and reflections.

Advice: Have you settled on this type of coverage? Put on your chosen aviators or Trinity, take your smartphone, set the screen brightness to maximum. Now rotate the device: quality polarized lenses should lighten or darken to smooth out excess light.

You can also check the filter by looking at the item with the hologram. You won't see it with low-quality glasses.

• photochromic (chameleons).

More suitable for the cold season. You can choose a product with such a coating if you are going to the mountains. They are also suitable for drivers who have to drive at night.

Some glasses may have a polarized coating, a mirror coating and tinting.

Choosing a model

There are different designs of sunglasses suitable for every face shape.

A jumper is a part that connects two lenses to each other. A high bridge looks good on miniature noses. A lower bridge will help to visually reduce a large nose.

All glasses must be measured. This way you will see how the shade of the glasses and frames change your face. And you can evaluate whether you like these changes.

It’s impossible to find such accurate information over the Internet. Want to order online? Try on an identical model in an offline store, make sure it suits you, and order anywhere.

Attention! There is an easy way to find out if glasses suit your face shape. Put them on and nod your head vigorously. They should not fall off or crawl.

Before checking, raise your hands with your palms facing your face. This will help catch your glasses if they do fall off.

How to care?

You can re-read all the tips on how to choose sunglasses, buy a super accessory and ruin it in a week. Don't like this scenario? Then you need to take care of your glasses:

• store in a case;

It will protect against dust, scratches and damage.

• place the glass side up;
• wipe only with a microfiber cloth;

Such rags usually come included. The edge of clothing or a wet wipe are not suitable.

Ideally, have several models of glasses in your chest of drawers: for the beach, for the cold season, for driving, for going to events. If you have to limit yourself to one, then choose a classic model with a polarized coating.

Buy glasses at an optician, so you will definitely get a decent model. It will protect your eyes and harmoniously complete your look.

“Incorrectly chosen and poor quality glasses have a very bad effect on the course of the disease.”

– My daughter is eight years old; she had a routine examination at the clinic, and we were diagnosed with myopia. The doctor prescribed glasses, we wore them. A year later they came again, but her vision only got worse,” says Ksenia’s worried mother Inna. – It’s impossible to live without smartphones now, and my daughter reads close by, practically with her nose in a book or phone. How can you stop vision deterioration?

Rano Vakhidovna, after listening to this problem, said that such situations are no longer uncommon. It is necessary to monitor the baby's vision every six months, especially if he is included in the so-called risk group for developing myopia. If both parents are myopic, then the probability of myopia in children is on average 84%, if one, then - 40%, if there are no myopics in the family - 10%. And the earlier myopia appears, the greater the tendency for it to progress. The worst prognosis for vision is with early acquired or preschool myopia.

– The most important thing in this situation is to contact an ophthalmologist in time so that he can select glasses for the baby. Without glasses, myopia progresses faster. Timely and correct use of optical aids slows down the growth of the eye, and accordingly, slows down the development of myopia, explains the doctor. – Incorrectly selected and poor quality glasses have a very bad effect on the course of the disease. Most likely, Ksenia was given the wrong lenses, the focus still shifted, and the eye muscles did not rest.

Rano Vakhidovna said that prescription of glasses is also a treatment, only optical, without it it is impossible to get good results.

“Glasses should not only correct vision, but also control the development of the disease,” says Ibragimova. – Suitable lenses can be found at Seseg Optics. The French company Essilor developed them to control childhood myopia, they are called Myopilux. When creating this lens, the developers took into account both prevention and control over the development of the disease.

On the advice of Rano Vakhidovna, Inna took her daughter to an optical salon.

“There we checked our eyesight again, ordered lenses and beautiful frames,” the girl’s mother shared. – As the doctor told me, these lenses have a special curve that allows the child not to bring the book or phone closer to his face. What’s important is that my daughter used to be embarrassed to wear glasses to school, but now she brags about it to everyone. I also decided to check my eyesight and picked up glasses that protect my eyes from the radiation of smartphones and computers.

Do such glasses have a practical purpose?

Fashion glasses without diopters most often serve simply as a fashion accessory and have no functional purpose. However, “zero” models also include other products that have their own purpose:

• darkened - used for protection from sunlight, worn only outdoors;
• “chameleons” - equipped with a special coating that changes the degree of darkness depending on the ambient light, so they can not be removed indoors;
• glasses for working at a computer also have a special coating that partially absorbs blue radiation without distorting color rendition. But reducing eye strain.

Whatever glasses without diopters you choose, do not forget that it is not advisable to wear them all the time. The frame narrows the field of view and negatively affects peripheral vision, so the eyes need to be given a “rest” from it.

Contact lenses

I noticed that my athletes friends who do not have very good eyesight often use contact lenses during training. And when classes take place outside in bright sunshine, they use both contact lenses and sunglasses at the same time. It turns out that this combination is very popular not only among sports fans, but also among residents in general. Therefore, I advise you to think about this option for solving vision problems. This “duet” of contact lenses and sunglasses is, first of all, very convenient!

When do you need glasses for working on a computer: recommendations from experts

An ophthalmologist believes that protective glasses for PC monitors do not help people with myopia or farsightedness; they are contraindicated for people with glaucoma and retinal diseases.

When deciding whether you need special PC glasses or not, remember:

• It is imperative to visit an ophthalmologist before ordering glasses;
• the order must be placed only in specialized optical stores and vision correction centers;
• glasses must be made to order (individually);
• You should not skimp on lenses and frames;
• There are no universal lenses that suit absolutely everyone.

It is also important to combine rest with exercises (palming) and eye gymnastics (according to Bates, Zhdanov ) and perform the following actions:

• rotate your eyes left and right with your eyes open;
• look with your eyes open and then closed (right, left, up, down);
• blink quickly for several minutes at a time (to protect your eyes from dryness);
• close your eyelids and lightly massage them with your fingers (make circular movements).

Important: if you feel pain or discomfort in your eyes, you should immediately consult a doctor and stop wearing glasses.