In the Vitebsk region, the number of children with visual impairments increases by 800 each year
Currently, in the Vitebsk region, 6,000 children with vision impairments are under the dispensary observation of ophthalmologists, the majority of whom are schoolchildren. This is slightly less than 3% of the total number of minors - it seems not so much. However, the fact that 800 new patients are registered annually for dispensary observation makes one think.
– Indeed, the problem exists, – comments Zoya Dolzhenkova, Head of the Children's Ophthalmology Department of the Regional Hospital (pictured). – Take, for example, the fact that currently in Vitebsk, at nursery-kindergarten No. 96, there are four specialized groups for children with vision impairments, and similar groups operate in Polotsk, Orsha, and Novopolotsk. In total, there are about 160 toddlers in them at the moment – with congenital myopia, strabismus, and amblyopia. And, unfortunately, the number of such children is increasing year by year. An increase is observed among schoolchildren, who most often have high or moderate myopia. Moreover, with such impairments, ophthalmologists are mainly approached by adolescents aged 11-14 years. Myopia in children today develops, as a rule, due to visual strain on the eyes and computerization.
Also among the factors that negatively affect vision, the specialist names hereditary predisposition, excess body weight, metabolic disorders, working in insufficient lighting, vitamin A deficiency, UV radiation exposure, prolonged sitting in front of the TV and computer, a sedentary lifestyle, and the environmental situation.
By the way
The regional hospital has everything necessary for the treatment of eye pathologies. For now, pediatric ophthalmologists perform operations using equipment on which adults are also treated, and with the move to the regional children's hospital...
the clinical center will have its own equipment at their disposal, including for microsurgery.
– Vision impairments are corrected with glasses or contact lenses, but it is important to understand that this can stretch the retina, cause degenerative changes, form foci, opacities in the vitreous body, and narrow the field of vision. If measures are not taken in time, then subsequently there is a risk of developing myopia, and then – limitations in choosing a profession, driving a car, and so on. And yet, our children still have to choose a profession, enter adult life, build a future, – says Zoya Arkadyevna. – Parents should show their child to an ophthalmologist already in the first year of his life, then – at 2-3 years old, before starting school, and at 11-14 years old. An ophthalmologist should be visited once a year.
To reduce the risk of vision impairments in the younger generation, it is necessary to take simple preventive measures, in which parents play an invaluable role. You should not introduce your child to TV, computer, tablet, and other gadgets for as long as possible. And in the future, try to reduce such "communication" to a minimum. For younger schoolchildren, it should not exceed 10 minutes at a time, for high school students – no more than half an hour. Then be sure to take a break and do special exercises, at least blink frequently, to relieve tension. It is important to ensure proper lighting, position in front of the screen (directly in front of the eyes and at arm's length). Do not let the child read while lying down, or during trips in transport. Nutrition plays a big role in preserving vision: dairy products, fruits and vegetables containing vitamins A, B, C, E (for example, cabbage, beets, pears, apples, carrots, grapes) are needed.
The sanitary and epidemiological service constantly reminds about measures for the prevention of vision impairments. The chief sanitary doctor of the Vitebsk region, Vladimir Sinkevich, during a press conference at the regional children's clinical center on the occasion of School Health Day, emphasized the importance of observing sanitary and epidemiological standards in the organization of educational
places. In particular, to improve lighting conditions at school, it is recommended to paint the walls and surfaces of desks in classrooms in light colors, to regularly wash window panes, and not to place tall flowers or objects on windowsills that block light. When seating students, it should be taken into account that lighting is usually good in the first row from the window, but may be insufficient in the third row in cloudy weather. To ensure all children are in equal conditions, they should be moved to a different row each semester, maintaining the same distance from the blackboard.– As a result of the supervisory activities of the sanitary and epidemiological service, the workplaces of students and 175 computer classes have been brought into compliance with hygienic standards for lighting and electromagnetic fields, – says Vladimir Alekseevich.
It is important to understand that elementary standards should be ensured not only in educational institutions but also at home. And here much depends on adults, on how competently and scrupulously they approach the preservation of the health of their child and the entire family.
Natalia RYBKOVA, photo by the author. "Vitebskie Vesti".