Role of teachers in early diagnosis of myopia

In the fast-paced world of education, teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of their students. Beyond imparting knowledge, teachers often become the first line of defence against various challenges that affect the well-being of their students. One such challenge that has been on the rise among school-aged children is myopia, or near-sightedness. In this blog, we will explore the crucial role that teachers play in the diagnosis of myopia and the impact they can have on the visual health of their students.

Myopia in young children  

Myopia can be characterized as a condition where a child has clear near vision but blurry distant vision due to risk factors like genetics, doing close-up tasks like reading or watching TV at a short distance, longer screen time, and limited outdoor exposure.¹ Myopia usually manifests in childhood, typically diagnosed between the ages of 7 to 10 years old, and after that, progresses over the next 10 to 15 years.²

If a child is diagnosed with myopia, it means that their eye is either too long or oval-shaped rather than round or the curve of the cornea may be too steep. Thus, the messages sent from the retina to the brain are perceived as blurry. Whereas in farsightedness or hyperopia, the eyeball is shorter than the typical eye or the cornea is curved too little, which causes objects at a distance to appear blurry.¹

Diagnosis of myopia can be done by an eye doctor with the help of eye exams, by conducting vision screenings using eye chart tests, pictures, letters or the “tumbling E game,” also called the “Random E’s Visual Acuity Test.³

>High myopia, also called progressive or pathologic myopia is generally diagnosed as near-sightedness of -6.00 dioptres or greater or an axial length >26.5mm. It generally begins in early childhood, and continued growth of the eye often means that the corrective lens prescription required to allow proper focus may not stabilize until the early adult years.⁴

Myopia in school children  

Visual impairment issues have been increasingly prevalent in children, with myopia making up most of the cases. This is partly since children have a heavy study burden, which leads to more time reading from textbooks and computer screens.⁵

Moreover, the modern classroom is often filled with digital devices, exposing children to prolonged periods of screen time. Excessive use of computers, tablets and smartphones has been linked to a higher incidence of myopia. Moreover, the shift to online learning, while it was crucial for continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic, has brought about new challenges, including increased screen time for students and decreased outdoor activities.

Apart from this, there is a lack of systematic eye health education within school systems, which results in low awareness and a lack of knowledge of eye health among parents and children.⁵ These factors necessitate the active role of schools in the diagnosis of myopia in young children.

A teacher’s role in eye care

By involving teachers as focal points, eye health information and knowledge can be spread not only to children, but to the community as well. Teachers can act as eye health advocates as they are seen as trusted, knowledgeable leaders within communities. In turn, this helps to improve the wider community’s awareness of eye health and encourages timely diagnosis of myopia.⁵ Here are some ways how teachers can contribute to identify myopia in young children:

1. Observation in the classroom: As teachers spend considerable time interacting with students in the classroom, observing how students engage with written materials on the board or their textbooks can help with detecting myopia in kids.

2. Behavioral signs: A myopic student may exhibit certain behavioral signs, such as squinting, frequent headaches, rubbing their eyes, or sitting unusually close to the board. By looking out for these signs, a teacher’s role in eye care becomes vital when it comes to flagging potential vision problems or encouraging parents to take their children to the eye doctor for a potential diagnosis of myopia.

3. Monitoring academic performance: A teacher’s myopia awareness becomes crucial, especially when it comes to providing eye care for students. Teachers should be attentive to signs of myopia in students, such as declining academic performance or reluctance to engage in activities requiring clear distance vision. These indicators could signal potential visual impairment, prompting the need for further investigation and potential eye care for students.

4. Collaboration with parents: Once teachers suspect that students may be experiencing myopia, collaboration with parents is crucial. Open communication about the observed behaviors and signs can prompt parents to schedule an eye examination for their child. Encouraging regular eye check-ups is essential for the early diagnosis of myopia and its management.

5. Preventive Measures: In addition to detection, teachers can also contribute to preventing childhood myopia by encouraging a visual-friendly learning environment by implementing practices such as the 20-20-20 rule (taking a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away every 20 minutes) and promoting outdoor activities under the sun that can help reduce the risk of myopia development.

Thus, teachers are not just educators; they are guardians of their students' overall well-being. A teacher’s myopia awareness can significantly contribute to the early diagnosis of myopia and its management. The collaborative effort between teachers, parents, and eye care professionals can be a crucial step towards prevention of childhood myopia, thus paving the way for a clearer, healthier future for the next generation.

References:  

1. Mayoclinic.org [Internet]. Mayoclinic, Nearsightedness; [cited 2023 Nov 7]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nearsightedness/symptoms-causes/syc-20375556

2. Țone S, Niagu IA, Bogdănici ȘT, Bogdănici CM. Update in pediatric myopia treatment strategies. Rom J Ophthalmol. 2020 Jul-Sep;64(3):233-238.

3. Cleveland Clinic medical professional. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Myopia Means Nearsightedness; [cited 2023 Nov 10]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8579-myopia-nearsightedness

4. AAPOS Home - American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus [Internet]. Progressive (High) Myopia - American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus; [cited 2023 Nov 10]. Available from: https://www.aapos.org/glossary/progressive-high-myopia

5. The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness [Internet]. The Role of Schoolteachers in Community Eye Health - The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness; [cited 2023 Nov 10]. Available from: https://www.iapb.org/news/the-role-of-schoolteachers-in-community-eye-health/.

FAQs:

Q1) What is myopia and hyperopia diagnosis?

Ans: If a child is diagnosed with myopia, it means that their eye is either too long or oval-shaped rather than round or the curve of the cornea may be too steep. Thus, the messages sent from the retina to the brain are perceived as blurry. Whereas in farsightedness or hyperopia, the eyeball is shorter than the typical eye or the cornea is curved too little, which causes objects at a distance to appear blurry.

Q2) What age is myopia diagnosed?

Ans: Myopia usually manifests in childhood, typically diagnosed between the ages of 7 to 10 years old, and after that, progresses over the next 10 to 15 years.

Q3) What is the diagnosis of progressive myopia?

Ans: High myopia, also called progressive or pathologic myopia is generally diagnosed as near-sightedness of -6.00 dioptres or greater or an axial length >26.5mm. It generally begins in early childhood, and continued growth of the eye often means that the corrective lens prescription required to allow proper focus may not stabilize until the early adult years.

Q4) What is the main cause of myopia?

Ans: If a child is diagnosed with myopia, it means that their eye is either too long or oval-shaped rather than round or the curve of the cornea may be too steep. Thus, the messages sent from the retina to the brain are perceived as blurry.