Experts remind that myopia surgery is not suitable for everyone, and hospitals in Shanghai welcome students to undergo a wave of lens removal. Expert | Surgery | Student
With the end of the college entrance examination, many hospitals in Shanghai are experiencing a peak of students taking off their mirrors after the exam. Recent data from the Shanghai Eye Disease Prevention and Control Center shows that the number of myopia surgeries has increased significantly compared to last year's college entrance examination, with a 50% increase in recent surgeries compared to before. Experts remind that although myopia surgery is good, not everyone can do it, and sufficient preparation and scientific selection should be made.
High school student Xiao Zhang is preparing to undergo full femtosecond laser myopia correction surgery. He has 400 degree myopia in both eyes, accompanied by 75 degree astigmatism in the left eye and 25 degree astigmatism in the right eye. He has been suffering from myopia for many years while wearing glasses. "I have long made up my mind that the first thing after the college entrance examination is to undergo myopia surgery, in preparation for smoothly applying to police academies in the future!" The reporter learned that many candidates choose myopia surgery in the hope of breaking the visual threshold and choosing their desired major. Some students also expressed that in order to make life more convenient, they no longer need to wear glasses when playing ball or swimming in the future.
According to data from the National Health Commission, the overall myopia rate among children and adolescents in China in 2022 was 53.6%, including 14.5% for 6-year-old children, 36% for elementary school students, 71.6% for middle school students, and 81% for high school students. Myopia has become a common eye health problem among students today. "Every year after the end of the exam, hospitals experience a peak in removing glasses, but this year there are more people than in previous years. These students hope to meet the professional requirements for applying through myopia surgery." Deputy Chief Physician Zhao Liquan of the Municipal Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Center told reporters, "Many students have completed preoperative examinations before the college entrance examination and go straight to the hospital after the exam."
At present, myopia correction surgery is mainly divided into two types: corneal refractive surgery and crystalline refractive surgery. Among them, corneal refractive surgery includes full femtosecond laser surgery, half femtosecond laser surgery, and surface ablation surgery. If the patient has moderate to low myopia and enjoys exercise, it is recommended to choose full femtosecond laser surgery. If the patient is highly myopic or has a thin cornea or other special conditions, consider intraocular lens implantation surgery. Simply put, it means making a tiny incision in the cornea of the eye and implanting a customized artificial lens into the eye to correct myopia and astigmatism. Normally, the patient's vision can be restored the day after surgery. For the vast majority of students, they can fully return to normal life and study within 1 to 2 months.
Although myopia surgery is good, not everyone can do it, let alone at any time. Zhao Liquan suggests that preparations should be made in advance. On the one hand, sufficient recovery time should be reserved for myopia surgery. On the other hand, detailed and complete preoperative examinations must be conducted for myopia surgery. It is necessary to eliminate surgical contraindications and observe whether it is suitable for myopia surgery and what type of surgery is suitable. Preoperative examination requires a series of preparations such as stopping the mirror in advance. If the soft corneal contact lens needs to be stopped for more than a week, the hard corneal contact lens needs to be stopped for more than three weeks, and the corneal reshaping lens needs to be stopped for more than three months.
The expert concluded that students should also take preventive measures in their daily lives. In addition to genetic factors, long-term close range eye use and prolonged inability to relax the eyes are the main factors causing myopia. In addition, insufficient lighting, small font size for reading, and poor posture can all lead to myopia. Excessive use of electronic products and reduced outdoor activity time are also contributing factors. Summer vacation is approaching, and children also need to prevent myopia. In addition to reducing close range fatigue and using electronic products, it is best to engage in outdoor activities and sunbathing.