Commonly Held Beliefs About Myopia That Lack a Robust Evidence Base

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Vision Science

Background:

• Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a growing global health concern.
• Numerous theories and treatment approaches exist, but their evidence base is often debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate widely accepted statements and hypotheses within the field of myopia.
• To determine the level of scientific evidence supporting common beliefs regarding myopia development and progression.

Main Methods:

• A literature review was conducted on various statements concerning myopia.
• Statements supported by some in the research or clinical community were critically assessed against existing data.

Main Results:

• Several popular notions lack sufficient evidence: low-dose atropine efficacy, peripheral hyperopia as a cause, undercorrection benefits, constant treatment effects, digital device impact, outdoor time benefits, daylight's role, myopia subclassifications, and the definition of myopia.
• The evidence supporting these statements was found to be insufficient for them to be considered evidence-based.

Conclusions:

• The field of myopia is characterized by numerous proposed hypotheses.
• Adopting interventions or beliefs requires robust supporting evidence; conjecture should be approached with caution.