HAN Bossino: Myopic History of My Family

A CASE HISTORY OF HOW -15 DIOPTERS GRADUALLY DEVELOPED FROM AN EARLY AGE

Written by HAN Bossino ,translate by Steve LEUNG In Hong, editing by  Otis S. Brown

(A note from the web-master of www.Chinamyopia.org.)

Traditionally, myopic children have been fitted a minus (concave) lens glasses for generations. The children are instructed to put on glasses and wear them constantly -- otherwise their vision will get worse. The concept of myopia treatment is deeply rooted in the minds of most people as well as many people in medicine.

However, the book" You are wearing Wrong glasses" and  this site (www.Chinamyopia.org) will tell you the reverse is true, that the use of the minus lens should be restrained, and the use of the plus should be started before the minus lens is used -- if possible. Myopia correction with minus-lens glasses will only make vision worse.

Why?

The earlier the age that you begin wearing the minus lens --the faster your vision deteriorates. The lens can induce nearsightedness all by itself! Many scientists, engineers and health workers have formed this opinion -- that the minus lens is
harmful to young kid's long-term vision.

Proof?

Is it true that the traditional method of myopia treatment is understandable as an immediate palliative -- with a serious secondary effect? In other words, is the thesis of this site

rational?

The only way for you to understand this issue is for me to testify to this truth by my statement of my practical experience.

I am a high myope of -15 D. I always had a question in mind-- why did I become such high myopia? I was not aware the long-term side effect of my minus lens glasses until I met Steve LEUNG In Hong, optometrist. I then totally woke up about the consequence of the effect the minus lens had on my eyes. I am a typical victim of minus lens correction.

I would like to share my family member's history with all in order to review the subject matter of their vision. I am certain similar countless cases are found elsewhere. You will realize which theory is correct after you review your own personal background history in comparison with your family members.

My family Myopic record at 2003 June

COMMENTARY

My father's vision was normal during his young age on the mainland, China. He became myopic at age 30 when he living in Hong Kong, because of his heavy publication work in the 1970s. Fortunately, degree of myopia was mild for this late onset of adult myopia. His vision had reached a maximum of -3 D as he remembers. Currently, his prescription is -1.5 D at the age of presbyopia (aging eyes). Now, he takes off glasses for reading!

My mother's vision was normal until she worked in the semi-conductor factory in the 1970s. She became myopic because she spent long time with microscopic work. She had been fitted with minus lens glasses but she seldom put them on. She quit the use of her glasses since she left the factory at a later time. Her vision recovered slowly.
　

Again, my elder sister was grew up in China( Village in Hainan Island ) with good vision until she immigrated to Hong Kong at the age of 18. She assisted with my father's profession of publication. This work required intensive use of computer, day and night. She also became myopic at adult age of 21 with degree of -2 D since then.

From the cases of my father, mother and sister their myopia developed as a result of protracted near-work. Their vision was normal when they were younger. Myopia develops in regardless of age or sex. The development is due to the fact that the eye adjusts its focus to intensive close work.

Luckily, the severity of adult development of myopia is very mild. In fact, if near-work stress can be relieved appropriately, then little nearsightedness will developed -- as was the experience of my mother. Myopia can be self-recovered slowly providing it is no deeper than -1.25 D.

Few of school classmates were nearsighted in my secondary school. They disliked glasses and never wore them except at class. Today, their vision remains fairly steady after 30 years. They put glasses on only when absolutely required for situations such as
driving and other work requiring clear distant vision.

My elder brother and I were grew up in Hong Kong. Both of received glasses at the same time. When I studied at primary grade 1 (about 6 year old, see my picture in the left) and he studied at primary grade 3. He remembered his first glasses were -1.25 D. His myopia developed up to -6.5 D eventually after reached the age of maturity the negative movement stopped.

Although his myopia is high, I am in more serious trouble for my -15 D!I believe both of us developed our high myopia based on several crucial factors.

First, we were living and studying in Hong Kong during our childhood. Our living environment was not excessively spacious and we spent long hours at the desk for heavy reading and writing during our school work.

Second, we were fitted with minus lens glasses at very young age. We never took them off until we went to bed. The glasses made our vision much worse.

I recalled that because I was unable to see the chalk-board and I "make do" by straining my eyes at class. My teacher sent a note to my parents about my vision problem. Both my brother and me were taken to the optical shop to be given our first pair of eyeglasses (minus lens). I remembered that both of us were the first to "pioneer" the use of eye-glasses at our classes.

It was amazing clear and sharp when I put on my minus glasses, but I felt headache and dizziness. The shopkeeper explained me that the unnatural feeling was normal for the first time wearing of glasses. I was strongly instructed to wear the glasses all the time except sleeping -- otherwise my vision would get worse. I got used to the glasses and the headache disappeared as I followed his instruction. Unfortunately, my naked-eye vision fell into the abyss of myopia-- since that moment. My first pair of glasses was probably over-prescribed resulting in the headache.

What is the reason for me to account for my -15 D in comparison to my brother's -6.5 D myopia?I believe age is a critical factor for rapid development of myopia. Assuming age of maturity is 20, my brother started at age 8 for 12 years for using the minus lens. And I started glasses at age 6 for 14 years of minus lens use. I had worn minus lens glasses extra 2 years before reached the age 20. The 2 years of minus lens use had produced a profound effect on my eyes at my age of 6!

The coats of eyeball are not strong enough to withstand stress of near point focusing. Eyes at young age are still developing. The layers of coats (sclera, choroid and retina) are relative vulnerable compared with adult eyes. Near point stress is made worse by the minus-lens glasses for near work -- causing rapid vision deterioration followed by eyeball elongation.

Minus lens not only ruined my vision but it also endangers the health of my eyes. I am at a high risk to the internal layer coat of eyeball to tear itself off (i.e., retinal detachment)! My minus lens correction has had a severe and bad effect on my eyes.

Tragically, the way of myopia treatment is unchanged in theses few decades. Many young children are following my path to become high myopia. They are prescribed with minus lens for their blurry vision at classes. Some are even as young as a kindergarten student. Many young parents thinking glasses are good to restore clear
vision at time for better academic achievement. In fact, children vision is being ruined by a group of (well-hearted) people with their rightful thought.

Please think over this issue in depth! Why not give your children a fighting chance (by use of a plus lens) to avoid myopia? Although they might not be completely successful in avoiding myopia, at least the onset of myopia could be deferred a later age. The long-term bad effect of the minus lens (glasses) could be minimized.

I am bothered by high myopia and by the use of the thick minus lens for correction. I do not want to see the same thing happen to young people by perpetuating this same mistake. Please make the right decision and choice for the good of your own children.

HAN Bossino
May, 2003

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