Many parents are faced with a situation where farsightedness is diagnosed in a child in early age... We offer you to find out what this pathology is, how it manifests itself and what kind of treatment for hyperopia in children is necessary to restore eye health.

Like myopia, hyperopia is one of the most common visual impairments. This disease is also called hyperopia. Farsightedness can be diagnosed in both an adult and a child, and this happens in the first days of life.

According to statistics, 90% of children are born with hyperopia, which is the norm and not an eye disease. In this case, treatment of hyperopia in children is not carried out, since with age, the size eyeball increases and in most babies, vision is normalized without outside interference. So, if your baby was diagnosed with hyperopia at birth, don't worry too much. It is enough to periodically visit an ophthalmologist to monitor the state of the organs of vision.

Usually, the child's visual apparatus fully restores its functions as the baby grows up. This process is fully completed by the age of 10, as a result of which the vision of a child diagnosed with congenital farsightedness becomes normal. The first changes are observed already by the age of three. If at birth the baby was diagnosed with an average degree of the disease (about +3 diopters), then by three years it decreases to +1.5 or +2.0 diopters, by five years to 1.00.

At the same time, if a child has a congenital high degree of hyperopia, self-correction does not occur and there is a risk of developing pathological changes in the eyes. In this situation, the issue of treating children's hyperopia is resolved in conjunction with a specialist.

What is hyperopia and what are its symptoms?

Before talking about the treatment of hyperopia in children, we propose to find out what this disease is. In the presence of pathology, the refraction of the eye is impaired. Such visual impairment manifests itself in the fact that it is difficult for a child to focus his gaze on objects located at a close distance. Due to the violation of refraction, the image is formed behind the retina.

A sign of hyperopia is a short ocular axis. A decrease in the refractive power of the cornea of ​​the eye can also be diagnosed.

Like other visual defects, hyperopia can be mild, moderate, and high. A degree of hyperopia within 3.0 diopters is a mild degree of hyperopia. In general, the baby does not experience pronounced difficulties with focusing his gaze, however, with an increase in visual load, the child may experience discomfort due to headaches and rapid eye fatigue, and a burning sensation arises. It is worthwhile to be wary if the baby has become overly irritable or withdrawn.

At medium pathology, vision is up to +5 diopters. The child sees objects located at a distance, and problems arise with nearby objects, which provokes difficulties in conducting educational and developmental activities. If the degree of hyperopia is more than +5 diopters, a pronounced visual impairment occurs. Children with this diagnosis have trouble focusing their gaze both at close range and at distant objects.
Treatment of moderate to high degree of hyperopia in children is necessary measure to eliminate violations.Hypermetropia can give complications that lead to serious negative consequences for the organs of vision.

What is the reason for the appearance of hyperopia?

There are many reasons for the development of such a health problem in children. The appearance of eye diseases can be influenced by various factors that affect the baby's body even during the period of intrauterine development. Lack of nutrients in the mother, unfavorable ecological and psychological conditions, hereditary predisposition - all this can play a key role.

If one or both parents have astigmatism or other visual impairments, a child may have a similar problem.

It is impossible to identify hyperopia in children on their own at home. If you noticed indirect signs disorders or the baby may have a genetic predisposition to eye diseases, it is worth making an appointment with a doctor. Only an ophthalmologist can diagnose the exact presence or absence of pathology. To make a diagnosis, they resort to dilating the pupil with the help of special medications. This leads to relaxation of the accommodative muscle, which makes it possible to determine the features of the refraction of the eye.

The stock of hyperopia, like the size of the eyeball, must correspond age norm... Otherwise, in the absence of timely treatment of hyperopia in older children, complications may appear, and deterioration of vision may progress.

An unfavorable sign is a violation of the growth of the eyeball. If it grows too fast, there is a high likelihood of developing myopia. If a slowdown in the growth of the eyeball is diagnosed, pathological hyperopia develops. If during the first three years of life the baby was found to have violations, the appointment of competent treatment for hyperopia in children gives high chances to completely eliminate the problem. With age, these patients may return to completely normal vision.

Hyperopia treatment in preschool and older children

If the diagnosis was detected in a child under one year old, no special therapy is prescribed, only the dynamics of changes are monitored. The treatment of hyperopia under the age of three years should be approached very carefully. To improve vision, special gymnastics is recommended, sufficient intake of vitamin A. Physical exercise and physical activity are beneficial for the eyes, since they increase metabolism in the tissues of the eyeball.

If, upon reaching three to four years, hyperopia has not been compensated by the body's reserves, the question is raised about the optical correction of the pathology. Glasses are selected by the ophthalmologist, and at high school age, you can start using lenses.

TO conservative therapy also includes hardware treatment, which provides training of the eye muscles and improves the optical ability of the eyes. The most famous techniques are color pulse stimulation, magnetotherapy, electrical stimulation.

What complications can hyperopia give?

The most common complication of the pathology is strabismus, which occurs in almost 40% of young patients. Also, there are frequent inflammatory eye diseases, as a result of which the child has difficulties with studies and other activities.

A very serious complication is amblyopia, which does not lend itself to optical correction, which is caused by certain disorders in the cerebral cortex.

Why are almost all small children farsighted?

Small values ​​of hyperopia at an early age should not bother the parents of the baby. Physiological hyperopia in children is due to the small size of the eye, poor development vitreous and the lens. Gradually, the eyeballs increase, the optical focus itself moves from the space behind the retina directly to the area of ​​rods and cones.

The age when vision is normalized is 8 years old. But for each child, growth and development occurs at an individual pace. If by the age of 9–10 the farsightedness persists, then it is necessary to consult an ophthalmologist. A high degree of hyperopia in a child - more than the age norm should also cause concern for parents.

Congenital hyperopia in children does not go away over the years. Your child needs to wear glasses or contact lenses at all times.

Causes

Farsightedness or, as doctors call it, hyperopia is a type of refractive error of the eye. In this case, far-away images are not focused on the retina, but behind it.

There is an age norm for hyperopia: at one year - plus 2.5 diopters, at two years - plus 2 and at three years - plus 1-1.5 diopters. At the same time, a large or, on the contrary, a small margin of hyperopia in a child is also a bad sign. So with hyperopia above the age norm, strabismus develops, and if it is below the norm, then this is fraught with myopia.

In a global sense, 3 causal factors can be distinguished, the consequence of which is the development of hyperopia in childhood: anatomical abnormalities of the eye, glaucoma and heredity.

Violations of the structure of the organ of vision quite often leads to the described ailment. In particular, the cause of hyperopia in children may be the short axis of the eye, the axis or insufficient curvature of the cornea. Also leads to the development of this disease, too deep location of the lens and the presence of changes in its shape and refractive power.

Glaucoma while speaking simple language increased intraocular pressure, also very often provokes farsightedness in a baby and, in the absence of treatment, becomes, in addition to everything, the reason for the loss of such an important function as vision.

Situations are not uncommon when a high degree of hyperopia is inherited by a baby. This should not be forgotten even if parents had vision problems in childhood, then it would be nice for them to pay attention to the state of eye functions in their children.

It is often impossible to establish the exact reasons for the development of hyperopia in children. Since the main organs and systems in the fetus are formed in the early stages of intrauterine development, visual impairment may occur due to improper nutrition of the mother, environmental characteristics of the place of residence, stress, and bad habits.

The causes of hyperopia in children can be hereditary if one of the parents had a similar visual pathology.

A small child has farsightedness weak degree is considered a physiological norm. In most cases, it goes away with age, because as the child grows, his eyeball also increases in size.

In this case, the optical focus is transferred to the area of ​​the retina. In addition to the natural features of the formation of the visual apparatus, the development of hyperopia in children can be due to such reasons: heredity, violation of the shape of the eyeball and the work of the refractive system, that is, the ability of the eyes to refract light.

With hyperopia, there is a discrepancy between the strength of the refractive apparatus and the anterior-posterior size of the eye, which is due to the relative weakness of the refractive apparatus of the eye or the shortened anterior-posterior axis of the eyeball.

If untreated, progressive hyperopia eventually leads to blindness.

Physiological hyperopia (2 to 4 diopters) occurs in newborns due to the small longitudinal size of the eyeball. An increase in the degree of hyperopia is observed with microphthalmos and can be combined with other congenital anomalies of the structure of the eye (cataract, aniridia, lenticonus, a predisposition to glaucoma), as well as with other malformations (anomalies of the fingers of the upper and lower limbs, ears, non-closure of the hard and / or soft palate, etc.

The eyeball grows as the child grows, so physiological hyperopia usually disappears by the age of 12. However, in some cases this does not happen. The reasons why the growth of the eyeball lags behind are not fully understood.

Risk factors include:

• genetic predisposition;
• diabetes;
• age over 40;
• non-observance of the work and rest regime;
• eye strain;
• excessive physical activity;
• poor nutrition.

Types of hyperopia

Farsightedness in children 1 year old and up to 3-6 years old is considered physiological. If at a more mature age the shortened shape of the eyeball in the anteroposterior direction remains, then hyperopia is referred to as the axial type. Refractive hyperopia is associated with clouding of the lens and / or vitreous body, the refractive medium of the eye.

The degrees and causes of pathology in children

If already during the first examination a high degree of hyperopia is revealed, correction is necessary - constant wearing of glasses.

Any ophthalmologist will confirm that there are three types of hyperopia in children. The first degree is called weak (up to 3 diopters). The second is known as medium (up to 5 diopters). And finally, the third (over 5 diopters) is called high.

Moderate hyperopia in a child is always noted during the neonatal period. However, by the age of 3 years, the visual system becomes more developed and perfect and the number of diopters decreases.

However, it happens that babies are born immediately with high degree hyperopia that does not decrease as the eyes develop.

1. Weak degree (up to 2 diopters). Very often the body is able to cope with it on its own. However, the child may complain about headache that appears after working with objects at close range. Distance vision is high.
2. Medium (2.25 to 5.0 diopters). Decreased visual acuity both at close and far distance.
3. High degree (above 5 diopters). Low vision both near and far.

Farsightedness in children

Depending on the age of the child, hyperopia may not be a defect, but the norm. But if the clarity of vision is not restored, then correction and medical help is needed.

Farsightedness is a feature of refraction in which the image is formed not on the retina of the eye, but behind it. Children physiological hyperopia is an integral stage in the development of vision.

Children should be born with hyperopic refraction (farsighted). As the head and eyeballs grow, farsightedness decreases and returns to normal by about 7 years. With the correct development of the eye, hyperopia up to 3.0 diopters is the norm, and in the process of the child's growth, it decreases by 0.5 diopters per year. However, congenital hyperopia of more than 3.0 diopters is a pathology of refraction of the eye and causes poor vision.

Refractive error (focusing) depends on the structural features of the eye. This is an innate property that cannot be changed, "cured". Treatment requires the consequences caused by hyperopia: amblyopia, strabismus. For the first time, the state of refraction in children is determined on examination by an ophthalmologist at 6-12 months. During annual examinations, it is necessary to monitor the state of refraction in order to prevent the development of possible complications.

Most often, children do not understand and cannot express that they see poorly. The symptoms of farsightedness are such that they do not lead parents to think about vision problems.

So, hyperopia in children under one year old is not expressed at all outward signs... In older children, it can result in restlessness, refusal to draw, sculpt and other close activities.

Farsightedness in a child 6-8 years old can cause poor sleep, rapid fatigue, inability to concentrate on tasks, etc. With hyperopia over 5.0 diopters, sometimes there is pain and pain in the eyes. Only regular vision diagnostics helps to distinguish physiological and pathological hyperopia (farsightedness).

Congenital farsightedness in children is quite common, but, as a rule, in the future, the child's vision approaches normal.

Due to the fact that the eyeballs in young children are somewhat shorter than necessary, we can say that farsightedness in children is the norm. As the child grows up, his eyes also grow, gradually bringing order and vision.

The age limit, which is a kind of borderline between norm and pathology, is the age when a child enters school. In other words, hyperopia in children 6-7 years old should not go unnoticed.

The main manifestation of hyperopia is poor eyesight close. However, this symptom can be supplemented by pain in the head and burning sensation in the organs of vision.

Note that farsightedness in a child 3, 5, 6 and more years old cannot develop. It can be diagnosed at any age period, but this will only indicate that this condition was not diagnosed earlier, because in fact, it is congenital.

Farsightedness in children 1 year old is detected only at an appointment with an ophthalmologist. It is impossible to detect it in any other way. For diagnostics, medical expansion of the pupil is used, as a result of which the lens relaxes and real refraction of the eye appears.

You can suspect this disease in older children by clinical signs listed above. But often parents do not attach much importance to them.

A very important measure in terms of preventing hyperopia in children is the timely activation of visual functions, as well as the prevention of the development of diseases of the organ of vision.

Today there are a large number of special sets of hardware procedures, selected on an individual basis, taking into account the characteristics of the eyes and existing disorders.

The interesting thing is that they are held in the form of a game. This allows the use of such complexes even in very young children.

Physiotherapy (laser, magnetic, ultrasound therapy, etc.) helps to improve metabolic processes in the eye apparatus, as well as eliminate discomfort and spasm.

Farsightedness in children (hyperopia) immediately after birth is the norm, since the eyeball in newborns is shortened. Farsightedness is a visual abnormality in which objects are not focused on mesh shell eyes, and behind her. By about the age of 10, the child's eyes become normal and vision is normal. Congenital hyperopia in children requires mandatory medical supervision.

There are conservative and operational methods treatment of hyperopia in children.

The main non-operative method is the selection of spectacle or contact correction.

An ophthalmologist can prescribe glasses for hyperopia only after reaching full cycloplegia. They begin to wear them while the effect of the drug has not yet ended, and the pupil is still wide. Very often, children do not want these drugs to be instilled into their eyes, since after them it becomes worse to see.

Symptoms

Determining the initial hyperopia without resorting to the help of an ophthalmologist is quite difficult. There are no specific signs in children with hyperopia. Hyperopia for initial stage manifests itself in rapid fatigability, in a high degree of irritability, restless sleep. Often, parents mistakenly consider such manifestations, especially in young children, to be common whims.

Only at the age of 5-6 can a child complain of poor eyesight. The main sign of hyperopia is that the child sees objects that are nearby worse. Most often, visual impairment is detected at the beginning of school attendance, when the child's load on the eyes increases dramatically.

If, as they grow older, vision does not recover to normal (accepted) limits, then the ophthalmologist puts the child on record with a diagnosis of hyperopia.

Pain and pain in the eyes, fatigue, nausea, dizziness - such health problems are experienced by a child whose farsightedness is more than 3 diopters. Quick fatigue may appear when reading a book or watching a movie, while writing. With mild hyperopia, symptoms are often absent.

Children's hyperopia has a number of indirect symptoms that allow attentive parents to suspect this refractive error and consult an ophthalmologist in a timely manner:

• low or decreased visual acuity. A child 2 - 3 years old examines rather large objects at close or very far distance.

  Keep a close eye on the child, whether he is always doing it or just playing. If the baby has enough vocabulary, you can try to test his visual acuity by dropping his toys at different distances. And ask to show you where which one is. A child 4 - 5 years old can try to show pictures, circles, letters at a distance;

• it is difficult for a child to concentrate on activities involving the development of fine motor skills, books. In this case, try to determine if the baby likes what he is doing. Perhaps he just gets tired of fixing his gaze up close, or this occupation is not to his liking;
• after reading creative work, the child complains of a headache;
• the appearance of progressive strabismus. Children under 1.5 years of age may squint their eyes when trying to examine an object. This is due to the imperfection of the gaze fixation mechanisms. If the squint does not decrease, but increases, you should immediately consult a doctor.

A weak degree of hyperopia in young patients, as a rule, is asymptomatic, since optical disturbances are compensated by the active work of the musculo-ligamentous apparatus and the lens. It is usually detected during a prophylactic ophthalmological examination.

The main symptom of hyperopia is blurred vision at close range. Patients with a moderate degree of hyperopia complain of rapid eye fatigue, pain in the eyeballs, in the area of ​​the brow, bridge of the nose, forehead, blurredness or fusion of letters and lines, visual discomfort, the need to move the object under consideration from the eyes, as well as the need for brighter illumination of the workplace.

Hyperopia in children under 7–12 years of age is often physiological in nature.

Diagnostics

Farsightedness can be determined by observing children. In the presence of pathology, they always look at pictures in books at an extended distance. Children read slowly, in addition, they do not like to do it, but they gladly consider displaying posters on the walls.

Examination by an ophthalmologist involves the use of a special table, according to which the doctor determines the visual acuity, the curvature of the cornea and its size. At this stage, you can identify presbyopia - a pathology in which the child does not see small print or objects at close range.

Diagnostics should be done once a year.

Less commonly, accommodation or binocular vision is prescribed.

Can farsightedness in a child be cured? Yes, if you see a doctor in time. At an early age under 4 years of age, it is difficult to notice the pathology, since the child cannot describe his feelings. But already at 5-6 years old, you can suspect vision problems.

In the preschool and school period, loads increase, so the pathology is rapidly developing. If you miss this moment, then only correction will help.

Treatment of infants

Even if the baby has a farsightedness of 2.5-3 diopters, the baby does not need treatment. All treatment procedures are possible upon reaching the age of one.

Treatment in 1-3 years

Farsightedness in children of 3 years old on its own goes closer to 4-6 years, but if there is no improvement, then you need to proceed to treatment. Otherwise, by the age of 10, the child's visual acuity will significantly decrease and he will have to constantly wear glasses or lenses.

There are indicators of hyperopia, which are considered the physiological norm for people of different ages. For children aged six months to a year, hyperopia of 3 diopters is normal. Then there should be a gradual decrease in this indicator.

At 4–5 years old, hyperopia decreases to 2, and by 6 years it is only 1.5–1 diopters. At 7 years of age, hyperopia is usually leveled, vision becomes normal. However, with congenital pathology, it remains at the same level or increases, the risk of developing strabismus and amblyopia increases.

Children aged 3 years undergo an examination of the eyeball after instillation of a solution of atropine or other liquids that dilate the pupil.

During ophthalmoscopy, a specialist examines the condition blood vessels and the retina of the eye. The doctor may recommend to undergo an ultrasound of the eye, MRI to clarify the diagnosis. To determine visual acuity, ophthalmologists traditionally use Sivtsev-Golovin tables and lenses. Studies such as perimetry, shadow test, biomicroscopy, tonometry are carried out.

Hyperopia is detected by an ophthalmologist when checking visual acuity. Diagnosis of the disease is carried out using Sivtsev tables, test lenses, refraction studies (computer refractometry, skiascopy).

To determine latent hyperopia in children and young people, refractometry is performed under conditions of induced cycloplegia of mydriasis. For determining front-rear axle of the eyeball, echobiometry and ultrasound procedure eyes.

With the development of strabismus, biometric studies of the eye are indicated.

Treatment

An ophthalmologist deals with the treatment of hyperopia in children. If your children's hospital does not have such a specialist, you can contact a pediatrician.

Treatment for hyperopia begins between one and three years. Early diagnosis visual function gives the baby a chance for a complete restoration of vision. Modern treatment of hyperopia in children can reduce the degree of impairment. It is necessary to treat visual impairments (myopia or hyperopia) in a comprehensive manner.

Glasses and lenses

The main method for treating hyperopia is prescription of glasses or lenses. When diagnosing a moderate and high degree of such a violation, glasses are recommended for constant wear.

Strabismus is treated by placing a thick cloth bandage on one glass. A bandage is applied to a healthy eye, thereby stimulating the work of the second with weakened muscles. If both eyes are sick, then the bandage is alternated, making it possible to stimulate each eyeball.

Hardware treatment

The principle of operation of hardware treatment is to stimulate the areas of the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for vision. The method allows you to effectively restore impaired vision of any complexity in a fairly short period. Apparatus treatment is of the nature of a game, painless and well tolerated by babies.

Special exercises

Farsightedness, myopia, strabismus or astigmatism require more than just correction. A set of eye exercises prescribed by the doctor helps well in improving and restoring the child's vision. Exercises are selected individually for each kid and are carried out daily in the form of a game.

Other treatments may be applied to improve metabolic processes.

Hardware techniques are absolutely painless. They take place in a playful way, so children can easily tolerate them. Apparatus treatment can be carried out no more than 3-5 times a year.

Glasses are not prescribed at this age. Not only will they not bring results, but they can be harmful.

In the absence of visual discomfort, rapid eye fatigue during visual work, especially at a close distance, stable binocular vision correction of hyperopia is not required.

Hyperopia is treated with conservative or surgical methods.

Against the background of hyperopia, inflammatory diseases of the ocular tissues often develop, which is due to the fact that the patient often rubs his tired eyes.

Conservative methods include the selection of glasses or contact lenses. Children up to school age with hyperopia of more than 3 diopters, constant wearing of glasses is recommended.

If strabismus and amblyopia do not develop in such patients before the age of 6-7 years, spectacle correction is usually canceled. Treatment of hyperopia in children is also carried out by hardware methods aimed at improving the metabolic processes of the orbital zone.

For this purpose, laser, ultrasound and magnetic therapy, vacuum massage, electrical stimulation, video training, etc. are used.

For high-grade hyperopia, two pairs of glasses (for close and long distance) or compound glasses may be prescribed. Contact lenses for hyperopia correction can be disposable, replaced monthly or worn for a long time, and can be soft or hard. In some cases, with hyperopia up to 3 diopters, orthokeratological lenses are used for night wear.

In the early stages of the disease, a good therapeutic effect is ensured by regular performance of special eye exercises.

In patients aged 18–45 years, laser correction of hyperopia up to 5 diopters is possible. The laser method consists in reshaping the cornea. Its advantages are speed, short recovery period (1.5-2.5 hours), long-term effect and minimal risk.

If laser correction is not possible, resort to surgical treatment, which can be carried out by the following methods:

• refractive lens replacement (lensectomy) - removal of the lens of the eye and its replacement with an intraocular lens of the required optical power;
• hyperfakia - implantation of a positive phakic lens;
• corneal transplant (keratoplasty).

With hyperopia, there is a discrepancy between the strength of the refractive apparatus and the anterior-posterior size of the eye.

Possible complications and consequences

Strabismus

Strabismus is the result of an advanced degree of hyperopia. Usually, strabismus as a pathology develops when the patient strains each eye separately. Lack of synchronicity in the muscular work of the eyes leads to impairment of volumetric vision. The child sees only a flat picture. Strabismus can have varying degrees of impairment, with or without loss of vision.

Amblyopia

Amblyopia occurs as a result of constant strain on the healthy eye. The second, relaxing, refuses to work. This can cause the lazy eye to lose its ability to see to some extent. This pathology cannot be corrected with glasses. To fix it, a special complex is needed to restore the work of the "lazy eye".

Nearsightedness and astigmatism

Against the background of hyperopia, inflammatory diseases of the ocular tissues often develop, which is due to the fact that the patient often rubs tired eyes: blepharitis, conjunctivitis, barley, chalazion. More rare complications are glaucoma, strabismus. If untreated, progressive hyperopia eventually leads to blindness.

Prophylaxis

Prevention of visual impairment (myopia, hyperopia) and possible complications such as strabismus or astigmatism should start at an early age.

Prevention of the development of vision pathologies in children should be carried out not only by parents, but also by school teachers.

Prevention measures are important not only for those who have been diagnosed with hyperopia before the age of 3 years, but also for absolutely healthy children.

Farsightedness in children is not a harmless disease. If a child is born with a high degree of deviation and vision does not return to normal during the first years of life, then an urgent need to contact an ophthalmologist. A child may develop strabismus or lazy eye syndrome, which is characterized by a significant loss of vision in one eye.

In addition to wearing glasses, the doctor may recommend hardware techniques to stimulate vision. Most of the procedures are painless and take place in the form of games. The spasm of accommodation is eliminated, the prevention of fatigue occurs, and highly effective training of vision.

In order to prevent the development of hyperopia and the progression of the disease, if present, it is recommended:

• regular ophthalmic examinations;
• the use of sufficient lighting for visual work;
• balanced diet;
• preventive gymnastics for the eyes;
• alternation of visual work with rest for the eyes;
• avoidance of excessive physical and visual stress.

The structure of our visual system is such that it has a number of functional features. To obtain a clear and non-blurred image, the rays of light must pass through refractive media.

By gathering in the main focus located on the retina, the light rays stimulate the receptor cells to generate nerve impulse, which, being transformed in the brain, gives an image. In other, not entirely correct, words, the resulting image should be displayed on the retina.

In the case of farsightedness (hyperopia), the main focus lies behind the retina. Everything that is at a distance gets on the retina and, therefore, is displayed. This means that images of objects located close do not fall on the retina, and therefore their outlines appear blurred.

All this is due to the discrepancy between the strength of the refractive media (cornea and lens) and the length of the eyeball. In the farsighted, it is usually slightly smaller.

Farsightedness in children 1 year old is explained by the small size of the eyeball and the imperfection of the visual analyzer, which is actively developing. All newborns, babies, babies suffer from hyperopia. But after a year, with a gradual increase in the size of the eyeball and the development of visual functions, farsightedness usually becomes less, and by the age of 3-4 years it gradually disappears.

However, there is also congenital hyperopia in children. In this case, the child's visual acuity tends not to increase with age, but, on the contrary, to decrease. Congenital hyperopia can also be caused by poor refractive power of the optical system.

Farsighted astigmatism in children, which is also called hyperopic, is a certain congenital feature due to the fact that the refractive power of the cornea or lens in different areas (and often in the meridians) is different. As a result of this, in addition to the fact that objects are better visible at a distance, they also appear to be bent, twisted or broken.

Factors predisposing to hyperopia

Farsightedness in a child can be triggered by one or more factors, which, in combination with the individual characteristics of the structure and functioning of the visual analyzer, lead to this disorder.

If at least one of the parents has a so-called refractive error (farsightedness, myopia, astigmatism), then, most likely, the child has all the prerequisites for its development.

Presbyopia ( age-related farsightedness), appearing after 45 years, cannot be considered a hereditary factor, since its appearance is associated with age-related weakening of the muscles that change the shape and position of the lens, and initial changes in the structure - opacity, change in density, the appearance of a vacuole.

Ecology and medicines used during pregnancy

Any chemical compounds directly or indirectly affect the development of the child in the prenatal period. This does not mean that you should stop taking medications aimed at maintaining your health, or urgently move to another place.

It's just that in some cases we do not always know what kind of water flows from our tap and what kind of air we breathe. Therefore, we cannot predict how this will affect the child.

High visual loads

In cases of low farsightedness, the body is able to try to cope on its own by changing the position of the main lens of the eye - the lens. However, increased visual stress causes muscle fatigue, leading to the progression of hyperopia.

Symptoms suggestive of hyperopia

Farsightedness has a number of indirect symptoms that allow considerate parents suspect this refractive error and consult an ophthalmologist in a timely manner:

• low or decreased visual acuity. A child 2 - 3 years old examines rather large objects at close or very far distance.

  Keep a close eye on the child, whether he is always doing it or just playing. If the baby has enough vocabulary, you can try to test his visual acuity by dropping his toys at different distances. And ask to show you where which one is. A child 4 - 5 years old can try to show pictures, circles, letters at a distance;

• it is difficult for a child to concentrate on activities involving the development of fine motor skills, books. In this case, try to determine if the baby likes what he is doing. Perhaps he just gets tired of fixing his gaze up close, or this occupation is not to his liking;
• after reading creative work, the child complains of a headache;
• the appearance of the progressive. Children under 1.5 years of age may squint their eyes when trying to examine an object. This is due to the imperfection of the gaze fixation mechanisms. If the squint does not decrease, but increases, you should immediately consult a doctor.

There are 3 degrees of hyperopia

1. Weak degree (up to 2 diopters). Very often the body is able to cope with it on its own. However, the child may complain of a headache that appears after working with objects at close range. Distance vision is high.
2. Medium (2.25 to 5.0 diopters). both at close and far distance.
3. High degree (above 5 diopters). Low vision both near and far.

1. Determination of visual acuity(visiometry). There are special children's tables for determining vision, they show pictures. Children who know the alphabet are shown letters. If the magnitude of vision is low, then they show cards with sticks or fingers drawn on them, which must be counted. Determination of visual acuity is always considered a subjective method to judge the work of the visual analyzer. After determining the visual acuity, the maximum vision correction with spectacle lenses is determined. This correction is not final, glasses and lenses cannot be prescribed for it, since true farsightedness can only be determined by achieving complete cycloplegia. Cycloplegia is a condition in which the ability to self-accommodation is blocked with the help of special eye drops.
2. Fundus examination(ophthalmoscopy). Allows you to identify the initial stages organic diseases, one of the manifestations of which is progressive hyperopia.
3. Skiascopy in full cycloplegia... Allows you to objectively establish the value and, accordingly, the degree of farsightedness and hyperopic.
4. Refractometry... A hardware method that allows you to measure the strength of the refractive system of the eye, to reveal the astigmatic component.
5. Ultrasound procedure(A-scan and B-scan mode). Allows you to determine the anterior-posterior size of the eye (eye length), as well as visualize a number of intraocular pathologies.

There are conservative and surgical methods for treating hyperopia in children.

The main non-operational method is the selection of spectacle or contact correction.

An ophthalmologist can prescribe glasses for hyperopia only after reaching full cycloplegia. They begin to wear them while the effect of the drug has not yet ended, and the pupil is still wide. Very often, children do not want these drugs to be instilled into their eyes, since after them it becomes worse to see.

It must be remembered that the effect of the drug is temporary, and non-observance of the doctor's recommendations leads to the fact that due to a certain discomfort that occurs when wearing without achieving persistent cycloplegia, the child will take off his glasses. In this case, farsightedness will either progress, or vision will be significantly reduced, which can lead to amblyopia - the "lazy eye" syndrome.

If spectacle vision correction is adequate and the child is old enough to wear lenses, contact vision correction may be used. In the case of hyperopic astigmatism, it is possible to select lenses with an astigmatic component.

In order to avoid unwanted diseases, you should follow the rules for wearing and caring for lenses, which will be explained in detail by an ophthalmologist.

Operative treatment can only be performed by those who are over 18 years of age. It consists in carrying out one of the types laser correction vision, implantation of special phakic lenses or in the planned removal of the lens with the implantation of an intraocular lens. This age was not chosen by chance, since it is believed that it is up to this age that the anatomical and functional development of the organ of vision occurs. For patients with astigmatism, there are toric lenses that take into account the astigmatic component.

Surgical treatment is selected taking into account all the individual characteristics of the patient. It is possible to carry out combined surgical interventions in order to obtain the highest visual acuity.

Depending on the age of the child, hyperopia may not be a defect, but the norm. But if the clarity of vision is not restored, then correction and medical help is needed.

When is hyperopia the norm?

With hyperopia, the image is formed behind the retina of the eye, because of this, the child receives a blurry picture of an object that is located at a distance of 20-40 cm from him.

Most often, vision problems can be noticed at the age of 5-7 years, when the child begins to learn.

There are three degrees of hyperopia:

• G mild hypopia in both eyes . This visual defect is considered normal. The child sees well at close range, only his eyes quickly get tired, his head begins to hurt. The patient does not need correction. With the development of the child, the structure of the eyes changes, the muscles become stronger and the above symptoms disappear. With a weak degree in children, treatment is not required, but if the pathology does not disappear until 7 years old, then you need to go to the hospital.
• G moderate hypopia . For children over 8 years old, it is considered a pathology, in younger age- the norm. The defect requires correction, since the deviations are 2-5 diopters. The child sees well in the distance, but the image is blurred up close.
• G high grade hypermetropia . Pathology is manifested by the fact that the child does not see well in the distance and near. The deviation is over 5 diopters. The child constantly needs to wear glasses or contact lenses.

Farsightedness is inherent in all newborns. By the age of 3-4 years, it usually goes away on its own, but if the pathology was diagnosed in a baby, then it is advisable to show the child to a doctor at 2 years old.

Normally, farsightedness should not exceed 3 diopters, but if, during a comprehensive examination, farsightedness in 1 year old children is above 5 diopters, treatment should be started, since after six years the child will have serious vision problems.

Causes

Hyperopia can occur for the following reasons:

• Violation anatomical structure the eyes, for example, the depth of the lens, its irregular shape, a short eye axis or insufficient curvature of the cornea. This type of pathology is called congenital hyperopia.
• Hereditary predisposition.
• Increased intraocular pressure (glaucoma).
• Improper nutrition of a pregnant woman, bad habits of the mother during pregnancy.

At one year, the ophthalmologist must examine the child's eyes using special devices.

Congenital hyperopia in children can go away 3 months after birth, since the eye organs of a child under one year old are rapidly developing. But if the pathology remains, then a permanent medical control... Usually we are talking about high-grade hyperopia.

Farsightedness in children under one year old is also called physiological. It is the norm, the reason is the shortened size of the eyeball. This feature of the structure of the eyes is inherent in all newborns under the age of 2 months. The pathology goes away on its own and does not require treatment.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the degree of hyperopia, the higher it is, the more severe the symptoms:

• With a mild degree, headaches, dizziness occur, eyes quickly get tired.
• With a moderate degree, the child is moody, he does not sleep well, he is worried about inflammatory eye diseases such as blepharitis or conjunctivitis. Visual acuity at close range is reduced, although at long distance he sees everything clearly.
• With a high degree, visual acuity is lost near and far.

Children cannot concentrate on one job for a long time, they are irritable, become withdrawn due to vision problems. Sometimes they feel a burning sensation and a gritty feeling in their eyes.

Inflammatory diseases of the mucous membrane appear due to the fact that the child constantly rubs his eyes due to fatigue, he can infect.

Which doctor treats hyperopia?

An ophthalmologist deals with the treatment of hyperopia in children. If your children's hospital does not have such a specialist, you can contact a pediatrician.

Diagnostics

Farsightedness can be determined by observing children. In the presence of pathology, they always look at pictures in books at an extended distance. Children read slowly, in addition, they do not like to do it, but they gladly consider displaying posters on the walls.

Examination by an ophthalmologist involves the use of a special table, according to which the doctor determines the visual acuity, the curvature of the cornea and its size. At this stage, you can identify presbyopia - a pathology in which the child does not see small print or objects at close range.

Diagnostics should be done once a year.

Other examination methods:

• visometry - a procedure for determining visual acuity using the tables of Sivtsev or Golovin;
• autorefractometry - a method of computer diagnostics to determine the refraction of the eye;
• skiascopy is a method of detecting refraction of the eye.

Less commonly, accommodation or binocular vision is prescribed.

Treatment

Can farsightedness in a child be cured? Yes, if you see a doctor in time. At an early age under 4 years of age, it is difficult to notice the pathology, since the child cannot describe his feelings. But already at 5-6 years old, you can suspect vision problems.

In the preschool and school period, loads increase, so the pathology is rapidly developing. If you miss this moment, then only correction will help.

Treatment of infants

Even if the baby has a farsightedness of 2.5-3 diopters, the baby does not need treatment. All treatment procedures are possible upon reaching the age of one.

Treatment in 1-3 years

Farsightedness in children of 3 years old on its own goes closer to 4-6 years, but if there is no improvement, then you need to proceed to treatment. Otherwise, by the age of 10, the child's visual acuity will significantly decrease and he will have to constantly wear glasses or lenses.

Cardinal methods are not used. If the degree of hyperopia at 1-3 years is high, then hardware techniques are used. They include:

• vacuum massage;
• magnetotherapy;
• ultrasound;
• electrical stimulation;
• laser therapy.

Other procedures can be applied to improve metabolic processes.

Hardware techniques are absolutely painless. They take place in a playful way, so children can easily tolerate them. Apparatus treatment can be carried out no more than 3-5 times a year.

Glasses are not prescribed at this age. Not only will they not bring results, but they can be harmful.

To restore visual acuity without medical procedures, you need to provide the child with vitamins. Be sure to include in the diet fresh fruits(bananas, peaches, apricots, prunes), vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, peas), blueberries, rose hips, dried fruits and walnuts... The child needs vitamins A and C, as well as potassium.

It is useful to give to the baby medicines in the form of dietary supplements. They improve metabolism and accelerate the development of the eye organs, which affects the reduction of pathology.

Therapeutic methods for children aged 4-6 years

Treatment of hyperopia in children of this age group must begin with vision correction. A child, even with a mild degree of hyperopia, needs to wear plus glasses, about + 1D. They should only be worn when reading, playing on the computer, or watching TV. You shouldn't wear glasses all the time.

Lenses should only be worn during adolescence.

Together with the correction, hardware treatment and exercise therapy for the eyes are used. How to Treat Hyperopia in Children with Exercise?

Eye gymnastics looks like this:

• You need to take a sitting position. First look forward, then turn the head to the right and return to the starting position. At the same time, move your gaze following the movements of the head. Similarly, you need to turn your head to the left. Repeat 5-10 times in each direction.
• In a sitting position, you need to stretch your hand at a distance of 30 cm from the eyes and put your index finger. First, you need to look at it for 30 seconds, and then focus your gaze on a distant object for 20-30 seconds. Repeat this up to 10 times.
• You need to take a sitting position, put right hand at eye level, the palm should be 50 cm from the face. Then make circular movements with your fingers clockwise, then you need to change your hand and rotate your fingers clockwise. It should be repeated 7 times.

It is helpful to alternate between reading and drawing, while using each eye alternately. Read more about vision correction in children →

Treatment at 7-10 years old

Farsightedness in children over 6 years old is manifested by the fact that the weak (farsighted) eye initially strains in order to see normally, but this only leads to spasms of the eye muscle due to prolonged overexertion. From the age of seven, the attending physician prescribes glasses with collecting lenses. They also use hardware techniques, vitamin therapy and exercise therapy.

Laser surgery is used only when a child reaches the age of 16.

In rare cases, when the degree of hyperopia is high and strabismus and other complications develop, microsurgery is indicated. During the operation, the lens is removed and an artificial one is put in its place. After surgery, the child can see well at any distance. More about eye surgery →

Prophylaxis

Prevention measures are important not only for those who have been diagnosed with hyperopia before the age of 3 years, but also for absolutely healthy children.

Prevention:

• To avoid complications, show your child to an ophthalmologist at least once a year.
• Provide your baby with a healthy lifestyle. Active games in the fresh air, as well as a balanced diet, are important for the child. The growing body must receive a daily dose of vitamins for vision every day.
• Teach your child to practice daily eye hygiene.
• Prohibit prolonged viewing of TV and playing games on the computer. Limit these hobbies in time, to a maximum of 1-2 hours a day.
• Make sure that the child does not sit for a long time during lessons. Reading and writing should be interspersed with active play.
• Provide good lighting: the light should hit the desk from the left side.
• Do eye exercises with your child.

Preventing a disease is easier than getting rid of it.

Farsightedness in children is not a harmless disease. If a child is born with a high degree of deviation and vision does not return to normal during the first years of life, then an urgent need to contact an ophthalmologist. A child may develop strabismus or lazy eye syndrome, which is characterized by a significant loss of vision in one eye.

Useful video about hyperopia in children

A person's ability to clearly perceive surrounding objects makes it possible to fully cognize the world. While adults can recognize the presence of vision abnormalities, children in most cases cannot.

Ophthalmic diseases are widespread today and originate from the birth of a baby. One of the most common diseases of the organs of vision for children is farsightedness (hyperopia). Let's talk about the concept, causes and classification of the disease, and also consider ways to correct it.

Pathology concept

Farsightedness is a defect in the organs of vision, characterized by a violation of the baby's ability to clearly recognize nearby objects. At the same time, the child perceives objects located at a considerable distance 100%.

Farsightedness is characterized by the focusing of light rays behind the retina of the eye. This is due to the discrepancy between the size of the apple of the eye and the diameter of the cornea. As a result, closely spaced objects do not fall on the borders of the retina, and the contours of the object appear blurred.

Pathology is observed in more than 85% of patients from birth. Approaching the age of four, hyperopia in babies should gradually decrease due to the development of the child's visual system. By school age, the anomaly completely disappears. If this did not happen, this is a reason to contact an ophthalmologist and start treating the pathology.

The reasons for the formation of hyperopia

The development of childhood pathology, expressed in the inability to perceive objects located nearby, has several predisposing factors:

• Heredity;
• Taking potent medications during mom's pregnancy;
• Unfavorable ecological situation during the period of gestation;
• Excessive visual stress;
• Improper nutrition;
• Finding the baby in a stressful state;
• Anatomical structure of the eye;
• Trauma;
• Increased intraocular pressure.

Varieties of the disease

Farsightedness is observed in more than 80% of newborns and 35% of schoolchildren. Hyperopia in babies is of three types.

Weak degree

It is characterized by increased visual fatigue in a short time and migraine. However, these indicators are not considered deviations from the norm, since the child clearly perceives nearby objects. With the development of the visual apparatus, the muscles of the eye become stronger and the symptoms disappear by the time the child goes to the first grade.

Medium degree

Deviations range from 2 to 5 diopters and are observed in 50% of newborns. For preschool children, indicators are considered the norm, since the visual apparatus during this period is at the stage of formation.

Moderate hyperopia is characterized by a clear difference in distant objects. The perception of nearby objects is blurred. In addition, the baby may complain of pain in the region of the eyebrows.

High-grade hyperopia

Implies the indistinct perception of objects at different distances. The severity values ​​exceed the 5 diopter mark. The anomaly requires treatment without fail.
Given the period of formation, hyperopia in children is distinguished into:

• Congenital
• Children's physiological;
• Age.

Consequences of inaction

Hyperopia can lead to the development of strabismus or amblyopia (lazy eye syndrome) if the pathology is not treated in time.

The first complication can result from asynchronous focusing of vision on a recognizable object. As a result of erratic tension, the baby may lose volumetric vision of objects.

The progression of amblyopia implies that having farsightedness in one eye, the child will only strain the healthy eye. As a result, the brain will no longer receive signals from the affected eye and, as a consequence, lose its function.

Side complications caused by refusal to treat hyperopia can be ophthalmic infections:

Symptoms of the disease

Given that babies are not always able to express in words what worries them, parents should pay attention to changes in the behavior and well-being of the child. The presence of hyperopia is indicated by headaches, dizziness, excessive fatigue of the visual apparatus.

Symptoms of the manifestations of ophthalmic diseases can be a capricious state of the child, bad dream, constant rubbing of the eyes; and inflammatory eye infections (eg, conjunctivitis). Due to visual fatigue and pain, the baby is unable to concentrate on one object for a long time.

Children at the conscious age from 6 years old have clear signs of the development of hyperopia. A symptom of pathology is the constant removal of prints, pictures and objects from oneself, complaints of sand and pain in the eyes.

How to understand that a child has an abnormality?

Only a doctor can reliably diagnose the presence and degree of hyperopia upon completion of an ophthalmological examination.

The baby undergoes the first preventive examination of the visual apparatus immediately after birth. Further planned visits to the doctor at 6 and 12 months. After the baby's first birthday, parents should show the baby to an ophthalmologist annually for a preventive examination.

If you suspect hyperopia, the doctor checks visual acuity using special children's tables with pictures or letters. By alternately closing the eyes, the baby is pointed at objects of various sizes, ranging from small ones. The line with which the child clearly recognizes the image is used to judge visual acuity.

Parents can print out the Sivtsev or Golovin table and control the baby's vision at home.

One of the methods for diagnosing hyperopia is an examination of the fundus to identify the initial stage of hyperopia. Skiascopy allows you to reliably establish the degree of development of pathology and its magnitude, and refractometry measures the refractive power of the eye system.

In some cases, ultrasound of the organs of vision is prescribed to determine a physiological anomaly. The procedure allows you to accurately establish the size of the eye and identify a number of intraocular pathologies.
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How is the disease treated?

Vision restoration therapy provides for conservative and surgical methods. The doctor can prescribe glasses or contact lenses, prescribe a set of exercises or hardware treatment, prescribe medication, a vitamin-mineral complex and eye drops.

An operative method of treating hyperopia is possible only from the age of sixteen, when the visual system is fully formed. Operation implies replacement eye lens on artificial.

The age of the child is also taken into account when determining how to treat hyperopia. Therapy to restore vision begins when the baby reaches the age of one year, since hyperopia in children under 1 year of age is not considered a pathology.

Treatment of three-year-old babies

The normal formation of the visual apparatus implies the complete elimination of hyperopia by the age of 4 years. If no positive dynamics is observed, then hyperopia is corrected by choosing glasses or contact lenses.

With a high degree of hyperopia, apparatus methods of treatment are mainly used.

Therapy for babies 4-6 years old

Treatment begins with the selection of glasses that are worn by the child when watching television, reading books, or activities that require high concentration of attention. In parallel, an ophthalmologist can prescribe hardware treatment and a gymnastic visual complex.

Correction of pathology for primary school children

Farsightedness from the moment of school hours leads to overstrain of the visual system and muscle spasms of the diseased eye. To restore the ability to clearly perceive objects, glasses are prescribed by the optometrist. In parallel, a course of vitamins and visual gymnastics are prescribed.

Hardware treatment of hyperopia

Based on the principle of subconscious reduction of periods of non-contrast vision by the brain. As a result, stimulation of the visual function of the cerebral cortex activates nerve cells.

Hardware treatment methods include:

• Massage;
• Ultrasound;
• Magnetotherapy;
• Electrical stimulation.

Therapy is carried out in courses no more than 4-6 times a year, the frequency and the complex are prescribed by the doctor, taking into account the degree of development of the pathology and the structure of the eyeball.

Pulse color therapy is one of the methods of hardware treatment for the correction of hyperopia. Its essence lies in the effect of electromagnetic radiation through the eye on the central nervous system.

Currently, scientists are developing improved treatment using non-surgical techniques. The advantage of this therapy is that it can be carried out with the child in the form of a fun game. The treatment has practically no contraindications and the recovery period, with the exception of taking medications that accelerate the healing and nutrition of the visual system.

Movement is life

Children with hyperopia, depending on the degree of its development, should pay special attention to an active lifestyle. With a disease at a weak stage, it is necessary to play sports associated with a change in the focus of vision.

The ideal option would be tennis, volleyball, basketball, badminton. Classes are aimed at intensive blood circulation in the visual system and the development of the accommodative apparatus.

If the child has an abnormality in the ability to clearly perceive objects of medium and high degree, then physical exercises must be corrected by an ophthalmologist. It is necessary to pay special attention to athletics exercises, as they can damage the visual system and make the situation worse.

If you have a high degree of farsightedness, the child should not engage in weightlifting, football and other traumatic sports, as they can lead to complete loss of vision.

With hyperopia of any degree, walking in the fresh air with a concentration of gaze on nearby objects will have a positive effect. This strengthens the muscles of the eye and prevents the progression of the disease.

Charging for sight

Gymnastics for the eyes has become widespread as therapeutic and prophylactic measures for the correction of vision.

The systematic implementation of a small complex aimed at relaxing the muscles of the eye will improve blood circulation and prevent the progression of the disease.

Exercises to relax the visual system:

1. Closing your eyes, you need to relax the eyelids as much as possible. Lightly pressing the warmed-up hands to your eyes, you should spend 1-2 minutes in this position and move your closed eyes to the sides.
2. Concentration of gaze on objects located at different distances.
3. Figuratively draw several letters of the alphabet using the tip of the nose as a pen.
4. Frequent blinking.
5. Turns of the head with movement of the gaze.

Check out the short set in the video below.

The ophthalmologist prescribes an individual course of gymnastic exercises, taking into account the structural features of the child's eye, as well as the degree of progression of the disease.

Using corrective glasses

When treating hyperopia, corrective glasses should be used if other methods have not been successful. It is important to remember that glasses are prescribed 1 diopter less than vision indicators.

With farsightedness of a weak degree, correction of a child's vision with the help of glasses can aggravate the situation, therefore, only a professional ophthalmologist should be engaged in their selection.

In the presence of high-grade hyperopia or diagnosed in a child aged 7 years and older, vision restoration therapy with the use of glasses is required.

Parents should control that the child is comfortable wearing the frame, does not have a headache or watery eyes. If the discomfort does not go away within two weeks, you should go to the ophthalmological office again.

Unlike adults, children wear glasses all the time, so it is very important to pay special attention to their selection.

Measures to prevent the progression of the disease

Preventive measures aimed at the inadmissibility of the occurrence and development of anomalies should be observed both by children who have been diagnosed with hyperopia and by absolutely healthy babies.

1. Parents should not neglect visiting an ophthalmologist. Take your child for a check-up every year.
2. Provide your baby with a healthy lifestyle, nutritious nutrition fortified with vitamins, sleep patterns, and walks in the fresh air.
3. Do not allow your child to spend a lot of time in front of the TV or computer games, and also alternate the load on the baby's visual system.
4. Take care of proper good lighting when reading, drawing, sculpting and other activities that strain the eyes, and do gymnastic exercises.

Conclusion

Monitor your baby's health from birth. Farsightedness identified on early stage, is subject to correction using modern techniques and medications. The quality and visual acuity of children and their ability to fully perceive and cognize the world around them depend only on the parents.

Farsightedness or hyperopia is a type of refractive error. This pathology is characterized by the fact that the light rays passing through the transparent media of the eye are focused not on the retina, as should occur in a healthy eye, but in a plane conditionally located behind it. The consequence of such a violation can be a significant deterioration in the ability to clearly distinguish objects that are close to the eyes.

Farsightedness can affect both adults and children of all ages. Children's hyperopia has its own characteristics clinical course and the use of therapeutic techniques.

The clinical picture of hyperopia in a child

The ophthalmic term "hyperopia" comes from the Greek words: hyper - "over", metron - "measure" and ops - "eye". Based on this, we can say that such an anomaly is a kind of discrepancy between the sizes of organic structures of the eye to each other, which, naturally, entails the formation of a number of persistent functional disorders.

They can be of varying severity, and also be of a physiological nature.

Weak degree

A weak degree of hyperopia in childhood may not have pronounced symptoms, which would significantly affect the development of the child, since due to the tension of accommodation it persists enough level visual acuity both near and far.

With moderate hyperopia, the child practically effortlessly distinguishes objects that are at a sufficiently large distance from him, but, at the same time, he may have difficulty seeing closely spaced objects... Rapid eye fatigue, headaches ( characteristic feature hyperopia - pain in the region of the eyebrows), the image may become cloudy and indistinct.

Experiencing such discomfort, the child unconsciously tries to move away from the object or move it away from himself in order to better see.

High degree

A high degree of hyperopia is clinically more pronounced. Here, visual acuity decreases both near and far. All of the above signs are sufficient cause for concern and immediate seeking help from an ophthalmologist.

If on time to a child with a high degree of congenital hyperopia do not prescribe appropriate treatment, then, most likely, he will develop strabismus... This is due to the fact that the baby is forced to constantly strain the oculomotor muscles, bringing the eyes to the nose in order to achieve a clearer vision of close objects.

If this pathology is left without proper attention, then the likelihood of the formation of amblyopia or "lazy eye" is high. This functional impairment of the visual apparatus is practically not amenable to correction and needs long-term treatment, therefore ophthalmologists strongly recommend that parents not delay seeking qualified help.

In addition to functional defects, hyperopia in a child often provokes the development of ophthalmic diseases of an inflammatory nature, such as:

• blepharitis(inflammation of the eyelids);
• conjunctivitis(inflammation of the conjunctiva - the mucous membrane of the eye);
• barley(inflammation hair follicle in the thickness of the century);
• chalazion(thickening in the thickness of the eyelid associated with a pathological enlargement of the meibomian gland).

This is due to the fact that children, experiencing visual fatigue and burning in their eyes, often rub them with their hands, often introducing an infection there. Statistics show that almost 90% of children under the age of 4 have some degree of hyperopia. This type of refractive error at this age has a natural physiological character.

Among children of primary school age and adolescents from 12 to 14 years, the incidence of hyperopia reaches 30%.

In a healthy eye, the light rays should converge into a beam strictly on the surface of the retina. Only if this condition is met, the image that converts visual analyzer will not be distorted.

With farsightedness, the trajectory of light rays is such that conventionally they can "converge" only behind the surface of the retina, so the child sees closely spaced objects not blurry. If any violation of the refractive properties of the eye is compensated by the tension of accommodation, then we are talking about latent hyperopia. If the visual defect cannot be corrected, then this type of hyperopia is called explicit.

Depending on the age limits of the formation of hyperopia, there are several of its main forms:

• children's physiological;
• congenital;
• age (presbyopia).

Also, there are three types of hyperopia according to the degree of necessary correction (the size of the correcting lenses):

• weak degree - below +2 D;
• medium degree - below +5 D;
• high degree - above +5 D.

Development mechanism

Refraction is the ability of the optical apparatus of the eye, which consists of several organic elements, to refract light rays. The degree of refraction of the rays depends on several factors:

• the level of curvature of the lens or its ability to change its spatial position, while changing the direction of light rays passing through the transparent media of the eye;
• the shape of the cornea, since it is also a refractive medium and affects the trajectory of light rays;
• the distance between the surface of the cornea and the lens;
• anteroposterior size of the eyeball, which is the distance from the cornea of ​​the eye to the so-called macular(area of ​​best vision) located on the surface of the retina.

Thus, we can conclude that the decisive influence on the refraction of the eye is exerted by its refractive power and the anteroposterior size of the eyeball. The optical apparatus of the human eye has a rather complex structure; it includes the lens, cornea, chamber moisture, and also the vitreous body.

Heading to the retina, the light beam passes through a number of organic structures of the eye, which have the refractive properties listed above.

There is a concept of "physiological hyperopia of newborns", which can reach from + 2D to + 4D. It is caused by insufficient anteroposterior size of the eyeball. The presence of hyperopia + 4D in infants indicates physiological maturity.

An increase in the degree of hyperopia can be a sign of microphthalmos or accompany other congenital defects of the visual apparatus, for example:

1. cataract(cataract);
2. colobomas(lack of part of any shell of the eye);
3. aniridia(lack of an iris of the eye);
4. lenticonus(violation of the shape of the lens, in which it takes a spherical or conical shape).

In the process of growing up, the child changes the size of the eyeball and the proportions of the organic structures of the eye up to normal performance... That's why, most often, hyperopia is converted to emmetropia by the age of 12-13(normal refraction).

If, for some reason, the child's eyeball is delayed in growth, not meeting its age norm, then hyperopia is formed, if, on the contrary, it progresses excessively in its development, then myopia (myopia) is formed. The reasons that provoke a lag in the growth of the eyeball have not yet been fully understood.

However, most people with hyperopia manage to compensate for the reduced functional activity of the ciliary muscle of the eye, which is responsible for the position of the lens in space, by about 40 years of age.

Also, farsightedness can be a consequence of aphakia - a congenital or acquired pathological condition of the eye, which is characterized by a complete absence of the lens. Usually, this phenomenon occurs as a result of an operation to remove a lens damaged by a cataract. Also, aphakia can be associated with all sorts of mechanical trauma to the eye or dislocation of the lens.

With aphakia, the refractive power of the eye decreases very significantly, so vision may fall even to the most extreme indicators (about 0.1 at a rate of 1).

Diagnostics and treatment

Farsightedness in children can be detected during examination by an ophthalmologist. First, visual acuity is determined using visometry. This type of research for children with hyperopia is carried out using trial plus lenses. Also, an ophthalmologist is assigned to conduct a study of the refraction of the child's eye, it can be carried out in two ways: using skiascopy or refractometry.

Skiascopy is an objective method for determining the refraction of the eye. This type of diagnostics is carried out using a special device - a skiascope, which is a mirror with a handle, with a flat and convex surface on both sides. Accurate diagnostic data can only be obtained with cycloplegia(medication paralysis of accommodation, achieved by implanting drugs into the eye that block the activity parasympathetic nerves). Skiascopy is suitable for examining refraction in young children, for whom refractometry is rather problematic.

Treatment of hyperopia can be both conservative (spectacle or contact correction, apparatus treatment, visual gymnastics, drug therapy, including vitamin therapy and a course of using medicated eye drops), and surgical.

If the child has no major complaints, the nature of vision is not impaired, and his visual acuity reaches 0.9-1, then in this case the correction is not indicated, and the ophthalmologist may recommend from time to time at home to carry out exercises for the eyes with the baby in order to prevent the development of refractive anomalies. In addition to spectacle and contact correction, hardware treatment and physiotherapy have a good therapeutic effect.

During the course of hardware treatment, the child may be prescribed vitamin therapy, which has a general strengthening effect on the entire visual apparatus, as well as others. medications positively affecting the development of the refractive abilities of the visual apparatus.

Pediatrician Komarovsky, well-known in Russia and abroad, has repeatedly touched on the topic of hyperopia in his discussions.

Pledge successful treatment farsightedness of children is a timely appeal for qualified help to a specialist.

When all appointments are fulfilled and the rules for correcting this refractive anomaly are followed, vision can be restored by adolescence to healthy indicators.

You will learn the opinion of doctors about the treatment of hyperopia in children from the following video.

Hyperopia sports

Children, suffering from mild hyperopia, are recommended playing sports, which is characterized by periodic changes in the focus of gaze at far and near objects, for example, football, basketball, tennis and the like... Thanks to regular exercise in these sports, it is possible not only to improve the accommodative abilities of the eye, but also to stimulate the intensive blood circulation of the entire visual system and the oculomotor apparatus, as well as to prevent the further formation of pathological changes in the eyeball.

To achieve maximum therapeutic effect from playing sports, it is necessary that one workout lasts at least 30 minutes.

Parents whose children have been diagnosed moderate hyperopia, it must be borne in mind that physical education for a child should have some restrictions, especially with regard to athletics exercises. It is better if the basic course of school physical education is supplemented with special exercises that strengthen the muscular apparatus of the eye... One way or another, this issue should be discussed in detail with an ophthalmologist, on the basis of his recommendations to adjust the child's physical education program.

For children with a high degree of hyperopia there are a number of restrictions on the ability to engage in certain sports. For example, they are highly discouraged from playing football, doing any martial arts or weightlifting, or skiing. This is due to the fact that with regular loads of this kind, the risk of complete loss of vision is very high, therefore, children suffering from this ailment should find other hobbies for themselves.

In extremely severe forms of hyperopia, an ophthalmologist may impose a ban on any sports activity.

Farsighted children regular walks in the fresh air are helpful... On the way, you can ask the child to consider various objects at different distances from him. These simple steps, if performed regularly, can help strengthen the muscles of the eye and improve visual acuity.

Eye exercises for hyperopia

The eye exercise shows an excellent therapeutic effect for all types of refractive errors in children.

It is especially useful to regularly perform visual gymnastics exercises for children whose eyes are regularly exposed to excessive stress (prolonged work at the computer, reading, incorrect position at the desk at school, and others).

The correct and systematic implementation of such exercises helps to improve blood circulation in the cervical spine and in the oculomotor muscular system, as well as training the accommodative capabilities of the eye.

These exercises will help relieve visual fatigue and prevent the further development of visual anomalies, thereby helping to at least partially cure the ailment.

• The exercise is performed with closed eyes. The child should try to relax the eyelids as much as possible. Place your palms on the baby's eyes or, if he is old enough, ask him to close his eyes with his hands, but do not press them strongly against his eyes. In this position, he should spend 2-3 minutes. This provides rest and relaxation for the eyes. Next, ask your child to move their eyes in different directions without raising their eyelids.
• The child should try to imagine that a pencil is fixed on his nose, which needs to write his name or draw something in the air.
• Invite your baby to stand up, stretch out his arms in front of him, spread his fingers as wide as possible and try to see objects that are in these gaps. After a few minutes, let him try to shift his gaze to the fingers and examine them. Repeat the exercise at least 7 times.

The treating ophthalmologist can draw up an individual course of eye exercises, taking into account the child's age and the characteristics of his visual impairment. One way or another, the decisive role here is played by the systematic nature of the exercises and the correctness of the exercises.

Farsightedness or hyperopia is a type of refractive error. This pathology is characterized by the fact that the light rays passing through the transparent media of the eye are focused not on the retina, as should occur in a healthy eye, but in a plane conditionally located behind it. The consequence of such a violation can be a significant deterioration in the ability to clearly distinguish objects that are close to the eyes.

Farsightedness can affect both adults and children of all ages. Children's hyperopia has its own characteristics of the clinical course and the use of therapeutic techniques.

The clinical picture of hyperopia in a child

The ophthalmic term "hyperopia" comes from the Greek words: hyper - "over", metron - "measure" and ops - "eye". Based on this, we can say that such an anomaly is a kind of discrepancy between the sizes of organic structures of the eye to each other, which, naturally, entails the formation of a number of persistent functional disorders.

They can be of varying severity, and also be of a physiological nature.

Weak degree

A weak degree of hyperopia in childhood may not have pronounced symptoms that would significantly affect the development of the child, since due to the tension of accommodation, a sufficient level of visual acuity is maintained both near and far.

With moderate hyperopia, the child practically effortlessly distinguishes objects that are at a sufficiently large distance from him, but, at the same time, he may have difficulty seeing closely spaced objects... Rapid eye fatigue, headaches (a characteristic sign of hyperopia - pain in the browbone region) may occur, the image may become cloudy and indistinct.

Experiencing such discomfort, the child unconsciously tries to move away from the object or move it away from himself in order to better see.

High degree

A high degree of hyperopia is clinically more pronounced. Here, visual acuity decreases both near and far. All of the above signs are sufficient cause for concern and immediate seeking help from an ophthalmologist.

If on time to a child with a high degree of congenital hyperopia do not prescribe appropriate treatment, then, most likely, he will develop strabismus... This is due to the fact that the baby is forced to constantly strain the oculomotor muscles, bringing the eyes to the nose in order to achieve a clearer vision of close objects.

If this pathology is left without proper attention, then the likelihood of the formation of amblyopia or "lazy eye" is high. This functional impairment of the visual apparatus is practically not amenable to correction and needs long-term treatment, therefore ophthalmologists strongly recommend that parents not delay seeking qualified help.

In addition to functional defects, hyperopia in a child often provokes the development of ophthalmic diseases of an inflammatory nature, such as:

• blepharitis(inflammation of the eyelids);
• conjunctivitis(inflammation of the conjunctiva - the mucous membrane of the eye);
• barley(inflammation of the hair follicle in the thickness of the eyelid);
• chalazion(thickening in the thickness of the eyelid associated with a pathological enlargement of the meibomian gland).

This is due to the fact that children, experiencing visual fatigue and burning in their eyes, often rub them with their hands, often introducing an infection there. Statistics show that almost 90% of children under the age of 4 have some degree of hyperopia. This type of refractive error at this age has a natural physiological character.

Among children of primary school age and adolescents from 12 to 14 years, the incidence of hyperopia reaches 30%.

In a healthy eye, the light rays should converge into a beam strictly on the surface of the retina. Only if this condition is met, the image that the visual analyzer converts will not be distorted.

With farsightedness, the trajectory of light rays is such that conventionally they can "converge" only behind the surface of the retina, so the child sees closely spaced objects not blurry. If any violation of the refractive properties of the eye is compensated by the tension of accommodation, then we are talking about latent hyperopia. If the visual defect cannot be corrected, then this type of hyperopia is called explicit.

Depending on the age limits of the formation of hyperopia, there are several of its main forms:

• children's physiological;
• congenital;
• age (presbyopia).

Also, there are three types of hyperopia according to the degree of necessary correction (the size of the correcting lenses):

• weak degree - below +2 D;
• medium degree - below +5 D;
• high degree - above +5 D.

Development mechanism

Refraction is the ability of the optical apparatus of the eye, which consists of several organic elements, to refract light rays. The degree of refraction of the rays depends on several factors:

• the level of curvature of the lens or its ability to change its spatial position, while changing the direction of light rays passing through the transparent media of the eye;
• the shape of the cornea, since it is also a refractive medium and affects the trajectory of light rays;
• the distance between the surface of the cornea and the lens;
• the anteroposterior size of the eyeball, which is the distance from the cornea of ​​the eye to the so-called macula (area of ​​best vision), located on the surface of the retina.

Thus, we can conclude that the decisive influence on the refraction of the eye is exerted by its refractive power and the anteroposterior size of the eyeball. The optical apparatus of the human eye has a rather complex structure; it includes the lens, cornea, chamber moisture, and also the vitreous body.

Heading to the retina, the light beam passes through a number of organic structures of the eye, which have the refractive properties listed above.

There is a concept of "physiological hyperopia of newborns", which can reach from + 2D to + 4D. It is caused by insufficient anteroposterior size of the eyeball. The presence of hyperopia + 4D in infants indicates physiological maturity.

An increase in the degree of hyperopia can be a sign of microphthalmos or accompany other congenital defects of the visual apparatus, for example:

1. cataract(cataract);
2. colobomas(lack of part of any shell of the eye);
3. aniridia(lack of an iris of the eye);
4. lenticonus(violation of the shape of the lens, in which it takes a spherical or conical shape).

As a child grows up, the size of the eyeball and the proportions of the organic structures of the eye change to normal values. That's why, most often, hyperopia is converted to emmetropia by the age of 12-13(normal refraction).

If, for some reason, the child's eyeball is delayed in growth, not meeting its age norm, then hyperopia is formed, if, on the contrary, it progresses excessively in its development, then myopia (myopia) is formed. The reasons that provoke a lag in the growth of the eyeball have not yet been fully understood.

However, most people with hyperopia manage to compensate for the reduced functional activity of the ciliary muscle of the eye, which is responsible for the position of the lens in space, by about 40 years of age.

Also, farsightedness can be a consequence of aphakia - a congenital or acquired pathological condition of the eye, which is characterized by a complete absence of the lens. Usually, this phenomenon occurs as a result of an operation to remove a lens damaged by a cataract. Also, aphakia can be associated with all sorts of mechanical trauma to the eye or dislocation of the lens.

With aphakia, the refractive power of the eye decreases very significantly, so vision may fall even to the most extreme indicators (about 0.1 at a rate of 1).

Diagnostics and treatment

Farsightedness in children can be detected during examination by an ophthalmologist. First, visual acuity is determined using visometry. This type of research for children with hyperopia is carried out using trial plus lenses. Also, an ophthalmologist is assigned to conduct a study of the refraction of the child's eye, it can be carried out in two ways: using skiascopy or refractometry.

Skiascopy is an objective method for determining the refraction of the eye. This type of diagnostics is carried out using a special device - a skiascope, which is a mirror with a handle, with a flat and convex surface on both sides. Accurate diagnostic data can only be obtained with cycloplegia(medication paralysis of accommodation, achieved by implanting in the eye means that block the activity of parasympathetic nerves). Skiascopy is suitable for examining refraction in young children, for whom refractometry is rather problematic.

Treatment of hyperopia can be both conservative (spectacle or contact correction, apparatus treatment, visual gymnastics, drug therapy, including vitamin therapy and a course of using medicated eye drops), and surgical.

If the child has no major complaints, the nature of vision is not impaired, and his visual acuity reaches 0.9-1, then in this case the correction is not indicated, and the ophthalmologist may recommend from time to time at home to carry out exercises for the eyes with the baby in order to prevent the development of refractive anomalies. In addition to spectacle and contact correction, hardware treatment and physiotherapy have a good therapeutic effect.

During the course of the apparatus treatment, the child can be prescribed vitamin therapy, which has a general strengthening effect on the entire visual apparatus, as well as other medications that positively affect the development of the refractive abilities of the visual apparatus.

Pediatrician Komarovsky, well-known in Russia and abroad, has repeatedly touched on the topic of hyperopia in his discussions.

The key to successful treatment of childhood hyperopia is timely seeking qualified help from a specialist.

When all appointments are fulfilled and the rules for correcting this refractive anomaly are followed, vision can be restored by adolescence to healthy indicators.

You will learn the opinion of doctors about the treatment of hyperopia in children from the following video.

Hyperopia sports

Children, suffering from mild hyperopia, are recommended playing sports, which is characterized by periodic changes in the focus of gaze at far and near objects, for example, football, basketball, tennis and the like... Thanks to regular exercise in these sports, it is possible not only to improve the accommodative abilities of the eye, but also to stimulate the intensive blood circulation of the entire visual system and the oculomotor apparatus, as well as to prevent the further formation of pathological changes in the eyeball.

To achieve the maximum therapeutic effect from sports, it is necessary that one workout lasts at least 30 minutes.

Parents whose children have been diagnosed moderate hyperopia, it must be borne in mind that physical education for a child should have some restrictions, especially with regard to athletics exercises. It is better if the basic course of school physical education is supplemented with special exercises that strengthen the muscular apparatus of the eye... One way or another, this issue should be discussed in detail with an ophthalmologist, on the basis of his recommendations to adjust the child's physical education program.

For children with a high degree of hyperopia there are a number of restrictions on the ability to engage in certain sports. For example, they are highly discouraged from playing football, doing any martial arts or weightlifting, or skiing. This is due to the fact that with regular loads of this kind, the risk of complete loss of vision is very high, therefore, children suffering from this ailment should find other hobbies for themselves.

In extremely severe forms of hyperopia, an ophthalmologist may impose a ban on any sports activity.

Farsighted children regular walks in the fresh air are helpful... On the way, you can ask the child to consider various objects at different distances from him. These simple steps, if performed regularly, can help strengthen the muscles of the eye and improve visual acuity.

Eye exercises for hyperopia

The eye exercise shows an excellent therapeutic effect for all types of refractive errors in children.

It is especially useful to regularly perform visual gymnastics exercises for children whose eyes are regularly exposed to excessive stress (prolonged work at the computer, reading, incorrect position at the desk at school, and others).

Correct and systematic performance of such exercises helps to improve blood circulation in the cervical spine and in the oculomotor muscular system, as well as to train the accommodative capabilities of the eye.

These exercises will help relieve visual fatigue and prevent the further development of visual anomalies, thereby helping to at least partially cure the ailment.

• The exercise is performed with closed eyes. The child should try to relax the eyelids as much as possible. Place your palms on the baby's eyes or, if he is old enough, ask him to close his eyes with his hands, but do not press them strongly against his eyes. In this position, he should spend 2-3 minutes. This provides rest and relaxation for the eyes. Next, ask your child to move their eyes in different directions without raising their eyelids.
• The child should try to imagine that a pencil is fixed on his nose, which needs to write his name or draw something in the air.
• Invite your baby to stand up, stretch out his arms in front of him, spread his fingers as wide as possible and try to see objects that are in these gaps. After a few minutes, let him try to shift his gaze to the fingers and examine them. Repeat the exercise at least 7 times.