Visual Training for Myopia Control: An Independent and Additive Inhibitor of Axial Growth.

IF 2.4 Q3 OPHTHALMOLOGY

Clinical Optometry Pub Date : 2026-04-09 eCollection Date: 2026-01-01 DOI:10.2147/OPTO.S598467

Zhao-Yang Meng, Hao Wang, Dan-Dan Wang, Lin Yang, Peng Zhou

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of visual training (VT) in retarding axial elongation in myopic children and to determine its additive clinical value when combined with standard myopia control modalities, including orthokeratology (OK), defocus spectacles (DS), and low-concentration atropine (LCA).

Methods: This is a retrospective, multicenter, self-controlled cohort study. A total of 208 myopic children (mean age 9.73 ± 2.08 years) who underwent a structured visual training program were included. Subjects were stratified into five subgroups based on concurrent treatments: VT monotherapy, VT+DS, VT+OK, VT+DS+LCA, and VT+OK+LCA. Annualized axial elongation rates were calculated for the pre-training (baseline) and post-training intervals. The primary outcome was the reduction in axial elongation rate.

Results: The mean axial elongation rate significantly attenuated from a baseline of 0.38 ± 0.34 mm/year to 0.23 ± 0.30 mm/year following the intervention (P < 0.001), representing a mean reduction of 0.15 ± 0.31 mm/year. There were no statistically significant differences in the magnitude of rate reduction among the five subgroups (P = 0.826), indicating that VT confers a consistent additive benefit independent of concurrent optical or pharmacological therapies. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a good positive association between baseline progression rate and treatment efficacy (r = 0.57, P < 0.001), suggesting that children with faster initial progression derived the greatest therapeutic benefit.

Conclusion: Visual training effectively slows axial elongation, shifting pathological growth trajectories toward physiological norms. It functions as a universal adjunctive therapy, providing robust and independent protective effects regardless of whether the patient is using OK lenses, defocus spectacles, or atropine. These findings support the use of visual training as a priority "rescue therapy" for rapid progressors.

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控制近视的视觉训练：一种独立的和加性的轴生长抑制剂。

目的：评价视觉训练（VT）在延缓近视儿童轴向伸长中的效果，并确定其与标准近视控制方式（包括角膜塑形镜（OK）、离焦眼镜（DS）和低浓度阿托品（LCA））联合使用时的附加临床价值。方法：这是一项回顾性、多中心、自我对照队列研究。208例近视儿童（平均年龄9.73±2.08岁）接受有组织的视力训练。受试者根据同时治疗分为5个亚组：VT单一治疗、VT+DS、VT+OK、VT+DS+LCA和VT+OK+LCA。计算训练前（基线）和训练后间隔的年化轴向伸长率。主要结局是轴向伸长率的降低。结果：干预后，平均轴向伸长率从基线0.38±0.34 mm/年显著减弱至0.23±0.30 mm/年（P < 0.001），平均减少0.15±0.31 mm/年。在五个亚组中，发生率降低的幅度没有统计学上的显著差异（P = 0.826），这表明VT具有一致的附加益处，独立于同时进行的光学或药物治疗。Pearson相关分析显示，基线进展率与治疗疗效之间存在良好的正相关（r = 0.57, P < 0.001），提示初始进展较快的患儿获得的治疗获益最大。结论：视觉训练有效地减缓轴向伸长，将病理生长轨迹转向生理规范。它作为一种普遍的辅助疗法，无论患者是否使用OK镜片、离焦眼镜或阿托品，都能提供强大而独立的保护作用。这些发现支持将视觉训练作为快速进展者的优先“抢救治疗”。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical Optometry OPHTHALMOLOGY-

CiteScore

3.00

自引率

5.90%

发文量

审稿时长

16 weeks

期刊介绍： Clinical Optometry is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal focusing on clinical optometry. All aspects of patient care are addressed within the journal as well as the practice of optometry including economic and business analyses. Basic and clinical research papers are published that cover all aspects of optics, refraction and its application to the theory and practice of optometry. Specific topics covered in the journal include: Theoretical and applied optics, Delivery of patient care in optometry practice, Refraction and correction of errors, Screening and preventative aspects of eye disease, Extended clinical roles for optometrists including shared care and provision of medications, Teaching and training optometrists, International aspects of optometry, Business practice, Patient adherence, quality of life, satisfaction, Health economic evaluations.