Guidelines for Myopia Prevention and Control

Summer vacation is a prime time for children to relax and unwind, yet it also poses a high risk to their vision health. Prolonged use of electronic devices, a lack of outdoor activities, and poor visual habits are quietly undermining children's eyesight. Protecting their vision is a matter of urgency; let us explore this comprehensive guide to summer eye care and safeguard children's eye health from every angle.

ⅠPreventing the progression of myopia

Causes of Myopia：

1. Prolonged use of electronic devices: During the holidays, the vibrant digital world holds great appeal. Prolonged use of electronic devices causes sustained spasms of the ciliary muscles, leading to eye strain; furthermore, studies indicate a higher incidence of myopia among children who use electronic devices for two hours or more per day.

2. Insufficient outdoor activity: Prolonged time spent indoors and frequent engagement in near-vision tasks—combined with a lack of outdoor activity—lead to ciliary muscle spasms, thereby exacerbating eye fatigue.

3. Incorrect reading and writing postures: Reading while lying prone, lounging on the sofa in a slumped position, or using a mobile phone under the covers increases the burden of ocular accommodation. Furthermore, uneven strain on the eyes can easily lead to imbalanced binocular visual development.

4. Insufficient sleep: Staying up late to binge-watch shows or play games leads to a lack of sleep. This not only affects a child's growth and development but also disrupts the eye's natural biological clock and dysregulates the secretion of hormones such as dopamine, thereby promoting the onset and progression of myopia.

5. Unbalanced diet: The relaxed pace of summer vacation often leads to excessive consumption of sweets and snacks and a lack of nutritional balance; this deprives eye muscles of proper nourishment, thereby increasing the risk of vision impairment.

How can we prevent it?

1. Limit the time spent using electronic devices.

Clear limits should be set regarding the duration of electronic device usage for children of different ages. Children aged 3 to 6 should, as much as possible, avoid exposure to and use of screen-based devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and computers. For primary and secondary school students, non-academic screen time should not exceed 15 minutes per session or a total of one hour per day. When using electronic devices for study purposes, the center of the screen should be positioned approximately 10 centimeters below eye level, and the viewing distance should be four to six times the length of the screen's diagonal; after 30 to 40 minutes of viewing, a 10-minute break spent looking into the distance is mandatory. Furthermore, the use of mobile phones, tablets, or televisions with the lights off must be strictly avoided, as the contrast between a dark environment and the intense light from the screen causes significant eye strain.

2. Actively participate in outdoor activities

Extensive research confirms that outdoor activity is the most effective and economical method for preventing myopia. Engaging in at least two hours of outdoor activity daily allows natural light to stimulate the retina to release dopamine, which inhibits the elongation of the eyeball. Activities such as walking, cycling, and ball sports are suitable choices, provided one avoids the intense sun during the hottest parts of the day. Additionally, children can wear appropriate sunglasses to protect their eyes from UV damage.

3. Standardize reading and writing posture

To cultivate good reading and writing habits in children, adhere to the "one fist, one foot, one inch" and "20-20-20" principles: keep the eyes one foot away from the book, the body one fist's width away from the desk, and the pen tip one inch away from the fingertips; furthermore, after 20 minutes of continuous close-range reading, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds to relax the eyes.

4. Maintain a regular daily routine and ensure adequate sleep

Cultivate healthy lifestyle habits. Sleep requirements vary by age: school-aged children (6–13 years old) should sleep 9–11 hours per night, while adolescents (14–17 years old) should sleep 8–10 hours. Adequate sleep allows the ciliary muscles to rest and regain their elasticity, helping to prevent the onset and progression of myopia.

5. Balanced Diet

Adhere to the principles of combining animal and plant-based foods appropriately and integrating whole grains with refined grains. Ensure dietary diversity by prioritizing whole grains as the staple food, limiting the intake of sweets and highly processed foods, and consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables to obtain sufficient micronutrients.

In addition, it is recommended that parents arrange a professional eye examination (including cycloplegic refraction) for their children twice—once during the summer break and again before the start of the new school term—to establish a refractive record for tracking hyperopic reserve and changes in axial length.

ⅡPreventing dry eye syndrome

During the summer holidays, children often spend long periods in air-conditioned rooms, where the dry air accelerates tear evaporation. Furthermore, when they are engrossed in using smartphones, tablets, or watching television, their blink rate drops from the normal 15–20 times per minute to just 5–8 times; this prevents tears from spreading evenly across the surface of the eye, making them prone to developing dry eye syndrome.

It manifests as dry eyes, a sensation of a foreign body, frequent rubbing of the eyes, and even blurred vision.

How can we prevent it?

1. Increase room humidity: Place a humidifier in air-conditioned rooms to maintain humidity between 50% and 60%, and open windows frequently for ventilation.

2. Limit the duration of continuous eye use: Blinking increases tear secretion; if significant dryness occurs, consult a doctor and use preservative-free artificial tears under medical guidance.

Ⅲ Preventing "Pink Eye"

Summer vacation is a peak season for acute bacterial conjunctivitis (commonly known as "pink eye"), a trend closely linked to summer weather conditions and children's activity habits. High temperatures and humidity create favorable breeding conditions for bacteria and viruses, while water in public venues like swimming pools and water parks is prone to contamination; children playing in the water risk infection through contact with this contaminated water.

In addition, children engage in more outdoor activities during the summer; frequently rubbing their eyes after touching public items (such as toys, towels, or doorknobs) or sharing personal belongings with infected individuals can lead to the transmission of pathogens.

How can we prevent it?

1. Remember to wash your hands frequently, avoid rubbing your eyes, and maintain good hygiene.

2. Wear sealed goggles while swimming and rinse your eyes with clean water afterward.

3. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience eye redness, itching, or increased discharge, and follow the prescribed treatment.

ⅣPreventing Eye Injuries

Summer is a peak season for eye injuries among children, a trend closely linked to changes in their activities. On one hand, children spend significantly more time outdoors; while running and playing in parks or suburban areas, they risk accidental eye scratches from objects such as tree branches, stones, or toy fragments. On the other hand, the holiday brings increased exposure to hazards—such as handling sharp tools like scissors or utility knives, or engaging in activities like roller-skating and cycling without proper protective gear—which can lead to injuries ranging from eye contusions to penetrating wounds. Additionally, with insects being highly active in summer, incidents such as bites or stings near the eye, or corneal abrasions caused by rubbing the eye after a foreign object enters it, can also result in minor injuries.

How can we prevent it?

1. Outdoor activities: Prevent children from coming into contact with sharp objects and keep them away from hazardous areas such as bushes and construction sites during play.

2. Sports protection: The use of professional protective eyewear is recommended during activities like cycling, skateboarding, and ball games to reduce the risk of impact injuries.

3. Hazard avoidance: Store items such as scissors, glue, and sprays out of reach; teach children not to wave sticks or toy guns around indiscriminately; and in the event of an eye injury, do not attempt self-treatment—seek medical attention immediately.

V. Protection against ultraviolet radiation and photochemical damage

Summer sunlight is intense, with ultraviolet radiation levels three to four times higher than in winter. Prolonged exposure can cause cumulative damage to the cornea, lens, and retina; this may trigger solar keratitis—characterized by eye pain, photophobia, and excessive tearing—and, in the long term, increase the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

How can we prevent it?

1. Bring sun protection: Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses from a reputable brand when outdoors. AVTAR sunglasses effectively block UV damage, reduce irritation from intense light and glare, and provide physical protection.

2. Choose the right time: Avoid prolonged activity in strong sunlight; extra protection is especially important in environments with intense light reflection, such as at the seaside.

A child's vision is vital to their future, and summer vacation is a critical time for protecting it. Let us take action to care for children's eyes in every way, ensuring that while they fully enjoy their holiday fun, they maintain bright, healthy eyes with which to explore an even more wonderful world.