A recent retrospective study indicates that physiotherapy may offer a viable approach for managing and preventing the progression of uncomplicated acquired myopia in children. The study, conducted between 2019 and 2023, assessed the effectiveness of various physiotherapeutic methods compared to the use of single vision spectacle lenses in children aged 6 to 11 years.
The research, adhering to the World Medical Association’s Declaration of Helsinki, involved 80 participants divided into two groups: a base group receiving physiotherapeutic treatment and a control group using single vision spectacle lenses. The participants were further categorized by the degree of myopia (low or moderate) and the presence of a familial factor. Clinical evaluations were performed before treatment and after one and two years to monitor the dynamics of myopia progression.
Physiotherapeutic Interventions
The physiotherapeutic methods applied in the study included:
- Electropuncture: Stimulation of somato-vegetative functions via transcutaneous electrical current applied to biologically active points.
- Low-intensity laser stimulation of the ciliary muscle: Enhancement of biosynthetic and proliferative processes in the conjunctival tissue using infrared laser light to improve vascularization.
- Combined treatment: Electropuncture plus low-intensity laser stimulation.
- Optical-reflex treatment of accommodation: Use of spherical positive lenses to relax the ciliary muscle.
Key Findings
The study revealed significant reductions in the annual myopia progression rate (AMPRS) and axial length (AMPRAL) in the base group compared to the control group. For instance, in the base group with low myopia and a family factor, the AMPRS value decreased from -0.68 ± 0.05 diopter (D) to -0.18 ± 0.01 D after the first year (P < 0.01), while the control group remained at -0.72 ± 0.06 D (P > 0.05). Similar trends were observed across different subgroups, with the most significant reduction in myopia progression seen in the moderate myopia group without a family factor, showing an 86.30% reduction rate.
The comprehensive clinical-functional examination demonstrated a significant efficacy of physiotherapy in the treatment and prevention of myopia progression across all studied groups. The rate of reduction in myopia progression for patients who underwent physiotherapeutic treatment compared to those with single vision spectacle lenses was 69.7% in the low myopia group and 73.5% in the moderate myopia group.
Clinical Implications
These findings suggest that physiotherapy could be a valuable tool in managing myopia progression in children, particularly when tailored to individual factors such as the degree of myopia and family history. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and optimize treatment protocols.
