Results of Using Optical Simulators “Zenitsa” for the Treatment of Myopia in School Settings

Abstract

Introduction. Acquired myopia (AM) is currently a growing medical and social concern as it is associated with a steadily increasing number of myopic students, early onset of its development, rapid progression and further complications. The main cause of AM is considered to be the depletion of the visual system adaptive capabilities because of too much near vision. According to the adaptation theory, it is necessary to create a high stable level of adaptive reserves of the visual system in order to normalize the process of refractive development in AM. Treatment methods of AM aimed to increase the efficacy and adaptive capabilities of eyes include optical reflex exercises. These exercises in particular using Zenitsa optical simulators compare favorably with other methods due to their physiological and pathogenetic orientation of the action mechanisms.Purpose. To study the features of using optical simulators “Zenitsa” for the treatment of acquired myopia in school settings and the dynamics of myopic process course.Material and methods. The group of 25 elementary students (50 eyes, the average age was 9.05 ± 0.72 years) with mild myopia was identified by random sampling. The study was conducted from November to December 2021. 95% of children had asthenopic complaints and 85% of students had a hereditary predisposition to it. The examination included questionnaire, visiometry, skiascopy, ophthalmoscopy, a measure of subjective refraction and relative accommodation reserves, a study of binocular stability of visual perception to hypermetropic retinal defocus. The course of treatment included 10 sessions that were carried out in school settings. We used seven simulators “Zenitsa” each of different optical strength.Results. After the treatment with the use of optical simulators, visual acuity improved on average from 0.58 to 0.67 (P < 0.01). Subjective refraction decreased from (-)1.48 ± 1.1 to 1.28 ± 1.08 D, by an average of 0.20 D (P < 0.01). Relative accommodation reserves increased from 2.33 ± 0.84 to 3.17 ± 1.07 D, by an average of 0.84 D (P < 0.01). Binocular stability of visual perception increased by an average of 1.5 D that is 15% of the initial level. The value of visual resolution increased by an average of 7.2%.Conclusion. The use of optical simulator “Zenitsa” sets significantly improves the performance of accommodation and vergence and increases the level of visual system adaptive capabilities in whole.