Myopia and Near Work: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
PubMed 36613196 · doi:10.3390/ijerph20010875
What was done
Authors searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and ScienceDirect for studies evaluating myopia (spherical equivalent ≤ -0.50 diopters) related to near work across children and adults aged 6 to 39 years. They performed random-effects meta-analyses on myopia prevalence, progression rate per year, and odds ratios comparing exposed to non-exposed individuals, along with subgroup analyses and meta-regressions.
What was found
Across 78 studies and 254,037 participants: - Global prevalence of myopia in near-work cohorts was 35% (95% CI: 30% to 41%), higher in adults (46%, 95% CI: 30% to 62%) than children (31%, 95% CI: 26% to 37%; meta-regression coefficient 0.15, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.27). - Myopia progression averaged -0.39 diopters/year (95% CI: -0.53 to -0.24 D/year), ranging from -0.44 D/year (-0.57 to -0.31) in children to -0.25 D/year (-0.56 to 0.06) in adults. - Odds of myopia in individuals exposed vs. non-exposed to near work increased by 26% overall (95% CI: 18% to 34%), 31% in children (95% CI: 21% to 42%), and 21% in adults (95% CI: 6% to 35%).
Why it matters
This meta-analysis demonstrates that near work is associated with increased odds of myopia not only during childhood development but also in occupational adult settings.
Limits
The included literature consists of observational studies subject to confounding (such as time spent outdoors or genetic predisposition). The abstract does not define standardized exposure metrics for near work, and the progression estimate for adults crossed zero (95% CI: -0.56 to 0.06 D/year), reflecting imprecision in adult subgroups.
Cited by
- supports Excessive close-distance viewing during development through the mid-20s alters eyeball shape and contributes to the development of myopia.
- supports Prolonged close-distance viewing can cause myopia by altering the shape of the eyeball and lens.