What can be done about myopia in children?

Generally, childhood myopia may be caused by congenital genetic factors, rapid eye development, prolonged near-eye work, insufficient outdoor activities, or effects of eye diseases. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition under a doctor's guidance through general treatments, medication, surgical interventions, and other methods. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Congenital Genetic Factors: If one or both parents have myopia, the child's probability of inheriting myopia increases, with vision decline commonly occurring during school age. Regular vision examinations are necessary for early detection and intervention. Limit screen time for electronic devices, cultivate correct reading and writing postures, and reduce the burden on the eyes.

2. Rapid Eye Development: During a child's growth and development phase, if the axial length of the eye grows too quickly and exceeds the normal range, myopia may develop, manifesting as blurred distance vision. Ensure sufficient daily sleep to allow the eyes adequate rest, and include foods rich in vitamin A, such as carrots and blueberries, in the diet to support healthy eye development.

3. Prolonged Near-work Activities: Extended periods of reading, writing, or using electronic devices can cause continuous tension in the eye's ciliary muscles, making myopia more likely. This is often accompanied by eye fatigue and dry eyes. Rest the eyes for 5 minutes every 30 minutes of use, look into the distance at green plants to relax the ciliary muscles, maintain a reading and writing distance of at least 33 cm while studying, and ensure sufficient, soft lighting.

4. Insufficient Outdoor Activities: Limited daily outdoor activity and inadequate sunlight exposure can affect eye development and increase the risk of myopia, commonly seen in children who sit for long periods with little movement. Ensure more than 2 hours of outdoor activity daily, and allow the eyes to be exposed to natural light through activities like running or playing ball, which can help delay myopia progression.

5. Impact of Eye Diseases: Congenital eye diseases such as cataracts or corneal disorders can interfere with light refraction and image formation, leading to myopia, often accompanied by poor vision and photophobia. Patients should follow medical advice to treat the underlying condition. Congenital cataracts require cataract phacoemulsification surgery to improve ocular transparency, followed by refractive correction to enhance vision.

Develop good eye habits in daily life, avoid reading in dim or unstable lighting, and have regular vision and refractive error check-ups. Parents should guide children to reasonably manage study and leisure time, and implement comprehensive strategies to protect vision, slow the progression of myopia, and maintain ocular health.