Visual Training in High Myopia Patients

Abstract

Myopia is a refractive error of the eye in which light focuses in front of the retina, causing a blurry image when a patient is looking into the distance. It is a growing public health concern due to its rising global prevalence and potential to cause severe ocular complications. High myopia is defined as myopia greater than -5 diopters. It is accompanied by axial elongation and fundus changes. Patients are at high risk of developing legal blindness resulting from maculopathy or retinal detachment [1]. 

Myopia is primarily treated with corrective lenses and, possibly, with invasive techniques such as surgical correction with LASIK, which are expensive and may cause side effects. Another option for treatment is non-invasive vision training that aims to stop the progression of myopia and reduce its optical power. One example is a method of physiotherapy targeting different extraocular muscles [1]. Another example is three-dimensional visual training, which includes looking at stereoscopic and moving visual icons. There is evidence of this method improving connectivity of brain networks [2].

The aim of this research is to investigate the impact of visual training on patients with high myopia. We want to explore whether this method helps with myopia progression and reduction, and whether it can induce measurable brain changes. Since there are many visual training methods, the first step will be to determine the most suitable option.  Participants will include highly myopic patients who have no other eye diseases. They will first undergo an eye assessment, including measurements of refractive error and axial length. They will also fill out a questionnaire about their habits related to eye health, and their brain networks will be imaged. Participants will then engage in several weeks of visual training. After this training period, the initial assessment will be repeated.

The effect of visual training on the eyes will be determined by comparing the data collected before and after the treatment. Expected results include slowed myopia progression and a minimal reduction in refractive error. We also expect brain changes to be observable with imaging, possibly exhibiting better connectivity in regions associated with visual processing. 

This research addresses the growing problem of myopia by integrating different types of measures to explore the potential of non-invasive therapies in managing high myopia.

References

[1] H. Shareef, M. Sameen, and S. Jafaar, “The impact of eye exercises on high myopia and visual acuity in patients aged (15-30) years,” Journal of Physics: Conference Series, vol. 1660, no. 1, p. 012108, 2020. doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/1660/1/012108. 

[2] C. Gao et al., “Adaptive Changes in Neurovascular Properties With Binocular Accommodation Functions in Myopic Participants by 3D Visual Training: An EEG and fNIRS Study”, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, vol. 32, 2024. doi: 10.1109/TNSRE.2024.3434492.