A teenager checks eye sight at a clinic in the Qingdao West Coast New Area. [Photo/iqilu.com]

The Qingdao West Coast New Area has established the first outpatient clinic for myopia control in Qingdao to deal with the serious problem of the rise in declining eyesight among teenagers in recent years.

It added examination items such as axial measurements and refractive state follow-ups to the current physical examination program at schools.

The clinic also established electronic archives of refractive development, which provide the basis for personalized treatments including scientific fitting, corneal plastic lens, and refractive surgery.

In 2018, the district confirmed that 168,300 primary and secondary school students had poor eyesight. The myopia rate reached as high as 48.4 percent.

The myopia prevention and control program launched by the district has been an effective step in solving teenagers' vision problems. 

The clinic has given guidance on scientific fitting and correct eye hygiene to 6,000 children diagnosed with true myopia. It has conducted vision training for 80 patients with refractive errors and abnormal visual functions. 

About 120 cases were treated with corneal plastic lens for those with excessive diopter growth. About 750 myopic astigmatism patients, who were older than 18 and needed to get rid of glasses, were treated with personalized corneal refractive surgery guided by corneal topography.

The patients all achieved normal naked eye vision, which helped them to remove myopia glasses, restore good vision, and realize their dreams such as joining the army, seeking a good job, and becoming more attractive.