Clinical Report: Does Exercise Inhibit Myopia Progression in Children?
Overview
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 31 randomized controlled trials involving 9,892 children found that exercise interventions were associated with improvements in visual function and may influence the progression of myopia. The study highlighted that intervention characteristics, such as type and frequency of exercise, influenced the treatment effects.
Background
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a condition with increasing prevalence among children and adolescents globally. Understanding effective interventions to manage and prevent myopia progression is crucial for maintaining visual health in this population. Exercise interventions have been evaluated as a potential strategy to manage myopia.
Data Highlights
No numerical data available in the source material.
Key Findings
- Exercise was associated with moderate improvements in dynamic and static visual acuity.
- There was a modest improvement in refractive error and reduced axial length elongation.
- Greater improvements in dynamic visual acuity were noted in younger students with vision training interventions.
- Static visual acuity improvements were greater with ball sports and mind-body exercises.
- Intervention setting was the only independent factor associated with improvements in dynamic visual acuity after adjustment.
- All included studies were conducted in China, which may limit generalizability.
Clinical Implications
Clinicians should consider the type and frequency of exercise when evaluating interventions for myopia management in children and adolescents.
Conclusion
The findings indicate that exercise may have a role in managing myopia progression in children, though further research is needed to establish optimal strategies and long-term effects.
Related Resources & Content
- BMC Pediatrics, 2023 -- Does Exercise Inhibit Myopia Progression in Children?
- Contact Lens Spectrum — Refractive Focus
- Contact Lens Spectrum — Myopia Beyond 2025
- Contact Lens Spectrum — Myopia Beyond 2025
- IMI—Interventions for Controlling Myopia Onset and Progression 2025 - PMC
- Comparative effectiveness of outdoor and exercise interventions for myopia control in children and adolescents
- IMI—Interventions for Controlling Myopia Onset and Progression 2025 - PMC
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