{"title":"Effects of steam warming eye masks on choroidal perfusion, visual function, dry eye measures, and symptoms in children with myopia.","authors":"Kemeng Gao, Yueli Xu, Yasuto Saita, Hezhong Liu, Minyun Cai, Guangyun Xing","doi":"10.1080/08164622.2026.2631765","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Clinical relevance: </strong>Innovative eye warming therapies may enhance comfort and ocular health in paediatric patients, potentially aiding in myopia management. Recognising the impact of ocular surface and perfusion improvements can guide optometrists in adopting non-invasive, supportive interventions to promote eye health and prevent progression of myopia in children.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>This study investigates the effects of steam-warming eye masks on the potential prevention and management of myopia in Chinese children.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A single-arm design was used, enrolling myopic and pre-myopic children at Shanghai Aier Puliang Eye Hospital from July 8 to 1 August 2024. All participants underwent treatment with steam-warming eye masks.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included 127 eyes from 68 children, with 31 classified as pre-myopic and 37 as myopic. The application of the steam warming eye mask led to significant improvements in key ocular parametres. Choroidal perfusion in the central retina increased significantly in the 0-9 mm and 3-9 mm regions (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Symptom scores for eye strain, dryness, and soreness decreased by 60.75%, 22.96%, and 33.24%, respectively (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Ocular amplitude of accommodation and blink stability improved by 13.90% (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and 25.26% (<i>p</i> < 0.001), respectively. No significant changes were found in visual acuity or refractive error, nor in tear meniscus height (<i>p</i> = 0.117).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Steam warming eye mask significantly improved ocular comfort, visual function, and choroidal perfusion in children, suggesting its potential as a practical tool for managing paediatric ocular health and controlling myopia.</p>","PeriodicalId":10214,"journal":{"name":"Clinical and Experimental Optometry","volume":" ","pages":"1468-1476"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6000,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Clinical and Experimental Optometry","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2026.2631765","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/3/2 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"OPHTHALMOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Clinical relevance: Innovative eye warming therapies may enhance comfort and ocular health in paediatric patients, potentially aiding in myopia management. Recognising the impact of ocular surface and perfusion improvements can guide optometrists in adopting non-invasive, supportive interventions to promote eye health and prevent progression of myopia in children.
Background: This study investigates the effects of steam-warming eye masks on the potential prevention and management of myopia in Chinese children.
Methods: A single-arm design was used, enrolling myopic and pre-myopic children at Shanghai Aier Puliang Eye Hospital from July 8 to 1 August 2024. All participants underwent treatment with steam-warming eye masks.
Results: The study included 127 eyes from 68 children, with 31 classified as pre-myopic and 37 as myopic. The application of the steam warming eye mask led to significant improvements in key ocular parametres. Choroidal perfusion in the central retina increased significantly in the 0-9 mm and 3-9 mm regions (p < 0.001). Symptom scores for eye strain, dryness, and soreness decreased by 60.75%, 22.96%, and 33.24%, respectively (p < 0.001). Ocular amplitude of accommodation and blink stability improved by 13.90% (p < 0.001) and 25.26% (p < 0.001), respectively. No significant changes were found in visual acuity or refractive error, nor in tear meniscus height (p = 0.117).
Conclusion: Steam warming eye mask significantly improved ocular comfort, visual function, and choroidal perfusion in children, suggesting its potential as a practical tool for managing paediatric ocular health and controlling myopia.
临床意义：创新的暖眼疗法可能会提高儿童患者的舒适度和眼部健康，可能有助于近视管理。认识到眼表和灌注改善的影响可以指导验光师采用非侵入性、支持性的干预措施，以促进眼睛健康，防止儿童近视的发展。背景：本研究探讨了蒸温眼罩对中国儿童近视的潜在预防和管理效果。方法：采用单臂设计，于2024年7月8日至8月1日在上海爱尔普良眼科医院招募近视和准近视儿童。所有参与者都接受了蒸眼罩的治疗。结果：共纳入68例儿童127只眼，其中准近视31只，近视37只。蒸汽加热眼罩的应用使眼部关键参数有了明显改善。中央视网膜0-9 mm和3-9 mm区域脉络膜灌注明显增加（p p p p p = 0.117）。结论：蒸汽温热眼罩可显著改善儿童的眼舒适度、视功能和脉络膜灌注，有望成为儿童眼健康管理和控制近视的实用工具。
期刊介绍：
Clinical and Experimental Optometry is a peer reviewed journal listed by ISI and abstracted by PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Citation Index and Current Contents. It publishes original research papers and reviews in clinical optometry and vision science. Debate and discussion of controversial scientific and clinical issues is encouraged and letters to the Editor and short communications expressing points of view on matters within the Journal''s areas of interest are welcome. The Journal is published six times annually.
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