We live in a dynamic and fast-paced world, where most of our time is spent indoors and in front of the computer. I’m sure you’ve heard many myths/truths related to diopter deterioration. So here are some dilemmas to clarify:
Working in front of a computer worsens the diopter
Several studies have been published with unfortunately positive results regarding diopter deterioration and computer work.
When we work on proximity it means that our eye muscle (ciliary) is in constant spasm allowing accommodation (seeing near).
Everyday close work affects the adaptation of focus from near to distance and vice versa, so we often have the feeling that we need a little longer to be able to focus better on the object. It is an accommodative spasm.
In young people, 20-30 years old, it can affect the growth of the dioptre, because in those years the eye is still growing and developing.
A subspecialist examination (a detailed examination with dilation of the pupils) is recommended to check the complete condition of the vision and the eye, and to be able to recommend appropriate protection.
Smoking affects the diopter
Smoking is harmful to our health, also to the eyes. It does not worsen the dioptre, but affects the blood vessels and the narrowing of their lumen, resulting in a weaker flow of oxygen throughout the retina. Smoking also affects the center for clear vision (the macula) and the development of macular degeneration.
Macular degeneration contributes to vision loss in the central part of the visual field and makes reading and recognizing faces difficult and impossible.
Doing eye exercises reduces the diopter
Eye exercises are recommended for children who have a weak eye in order to strengthen the eye muscles. Those muscles help us move our eyes in all directions and directions, but they do not participate in the process of seeing. Lazy eye (amblyopic eye) must be treated from an early age for improvement.
It is recommended that the first ophthalmological examination in children be done at the age of 3, but it can be done at a younger age.
Wearing glasses improves vision
Glasses or contact lenses are optical aids that help us see well. They are not a cure and do not cure the diopter. By wearing them, the diopter does not decrease or disappear, they simply help us to be functional and to be able to carry out our daily activities in which we need good visual acuity.
The only way to improve vision is with diopter correction methods such as laser diopter correction or the implantation of monofocal or multifocal lenses.
Wearing soft contact lenses stabilizes the diopter
There are various meta-analyses performed on various population groups. In some of them, a significant stabilization of the dioptre has been determined, especially in children of school age (8-15 years). In the same population, no significant difference was obtained between wearing glasses and soft contact lenses.
A few tips for home:
- Spend more time in nature
- Protect your eyes from the sun (UV rays) and wear sunglasses
- When working in front of the computer take a short break every 2 hours
- Eat healthy
- Stop smoking
- Go for regular eye exams