Meera’s Childhood Myopia Journey

“But mummy, I cannot see anything on the blackboard! It is so hazy!” Meera often exclaimed.
Little Meera loved school — from her desk to her crisp notebooks, colorful textbooks, and the
thrill of learning something new every day. She especially loved sharing what she learned with
her friends and her little brother. But there was a problem: the teacher’s writing on the
blackboard always seemed blurry. Most of the time, she squinted, leaned forward, or even
walked closer to the blackboard to read.
She would rise from her little wooden bench, inching toward the board, desperately trying to
make sense of the letters. She blinked, rubbed her eyes, and sometimes complained of
headaches. Her parents and teachers noticed her unusual behavior: she held books very close
while reading, struggled to see distant objects, and seemed to have a shorter attention span
than her classmates.
Concerned for their daughter, Meera’s parents took her to Amdavad Eye Laser Hospital
(AELH), located at Devank Park, Panjrapole Cross Road, Ambavadi, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The pediatric eye specialists at AELH conducted a comprehensive eye examination, carefully
measuring her visual acuity and refractive error.
Said Dr. Tejas D. Shah, senior eye specialist at AELH: “Meera had the classic signs and
symptoms of childhood myopia, a condition that develops between the ages of 6 and 14.
Myopia causes distant objects to appear blurry while near objects remain clear. It occurs due to
a combination of heredity, prolonged near-focused work, and insufficient time outdoors.”
He added, “Even a few hours outdoors every day can make a difference.”
Meera underwent cycloplegic refraction, the gold standard for determining a child’s glasses
prescription. The doctors also measured her axial length to track myopia progression. While
her parents were sad to learn that myopia cannot be reversed, they were relieved to know that
its progression could be slowed, reducing the risk of long-term complications such as retinal
detachment or glaucoma.
Meera loved the color purple, so when she was prescribed glasses, her frame was made purple.
She was delighted.
“But what if my friends tease me?” she asked her dad tearfully.
“Tell them that only intelligent students wear specs,” he replied with a smile and a hug. Meera
felt happy and confident.

Back in class, the change was remarkable. Suddenly, the blurred letters on the blackboard
snapped into sharp focus. She could now sit comfortably at her desk and read everything her
teacher wrote. She no longer had to rise from her bench to see what was written.
Her parents were guided by the AELH specialists on ways to control the progression of
myopia. They learned that Meera should:
● Use special eye drops at night if prescribed
● Wear defocus spectacle lenses if needed
● Wear Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) contact lenses if needed
The eye specialist also gave her some lifestyle advice:
● “Meera, you must spend at least 2 hours outdoors every day.”
● “Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.” Meera loved this as
her “special game.”
● “Avoid prolonged use of TV, phones, or computers. Take breaks frequently.” Meera did
not like this at first, but she understood its importance.
With her favorite purple glasses and guidance from her doctors, Meera’s confidence and
attention in class grew. She could see diagrams clearly, follow lessons effortlessly, and even
recognize her friends across the classroom. Her learning experience transformed completely.
Dr. Tejas Shah says, “Early detection and refractive correction are the key to managing
childhood myopia. Parents and teachers should watch out for warning signs.”
Some of the signs to watch for in young children are:
● Squinting to see distant objects
● Holding books very close
● Frequent blinking or eye rubbing
● Complaints of eye strain or headaches
Amdavad Eye Laser Hospital (AELH) plays a pivotal role in pediatric eye care in
Ahmedabad’s Ambavadi area. Their team uses child-appropriate diagnostic methods such as
retinoscopy, LEA symbols, and Snellen charts, ensuring that even young children receive
accurate prescriptions and myopia management advice. Whether it’s a first-time eye exam,
monitoring axial length, or guiding parents on preventive lifestyle measures, AELH emphasizes
early intervention and continuous follow-up. Meera’s story demonstrates how proper care
will transform a child’s learning experience, and help him/her progress normally.
No longer constrained by blurry vision, Meera’s love for learning grew stronger. She could read,
write, and follow lessons without struggling. She no longer rises from her bench to see the
blackboard, a small change that made a huge difference in her classroom confidence.

If your child shows signs of blurry distance vision, frequent squinting, or eye strain,
consult a pediatric eye specialist early. Early intervention, glasses, and lifestyle guidance
can protect their vision and enhance their learning experience.