– If I’m not wearing the glasses, I can not recognize the faces on them at the other end of the gym. They must be close to me before I can see them, says Maria Wahl Larsen.
She is far from alone. The incidence of myopia has increased over the past 20 years in several places in the world. Also in Denmark, where approximately every fifth child is myopic.
A new trial with 150 children from 6 to 12 years, associated with the eye departments at Rigshospitalet, Vejle Hospital or Aarhus University Hospital, will show whether eye drops with a content of the drug atropine can slow down the development.
According to doctor and researcher in myopia in children Anders Hvid-Hansen, Rigshospitalet, experience from Asia shows that the drops can halve the development.
– Our hope is that we can achieve the same great results with Danish children. If we can curb their myopia, it will mean that the risk of developing more serious sequelae, in the worst case retinal detachment, can be minimized, says Anders Hvid-Hansen.
In the long run, it may turn out that myopia may be completely preventable with the drops. It is currently being investigated in Asia.
– If it turns out positively, one can imagine that we can give the drops to children who have myopic parents, and thus minimize the risk of myopia being inherited, says Anders Hvid-Hansen.
According to Jens Lundgaard Andresen, chairman of the Danish Ophthalmologists’ Organization, it will be exciting to follow whether the Asian experiences can be transferred to Danish children.
But at the same time, it is important to be aware that a Danish study has already shown that limited access to screens and more free time can help the children.
– We know that children who are out a lot and spend less time with the screen develop a lesser degree of myopia.
– We can not explain why, but maybe it is the light and the fact that the eye is allowed to rest when you are out that matters, says Jens Lundgaard Andresen.
Source: The Nordic Page