Emerging Technologies for the Management and Mitigation of Myopia Progression: A Scoping Review

Currently, myopia affects approximately 1,406 million individuals, representing 22.9% of the global population. Emerging technologies are transforming eye care by providing innovative approaches to address the global challenge of myopia progression. Despite advancements in myopia control strategies, a comprehensive evaluation of the global landscape of emerging technologies remains an urgent priority.

The article search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, PsycInfo, Web of science and Google Scholar databases. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened for inclusion independently by all authors, with discrepancies resolved through discussion. The findings are reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) extension for Scoping Reviews checklist.

A total of 28 articles were included in this scoping review. The majority of the included were randomized clinical trials (n = 10, 35.7%), with most conducted in China (n = 10, 35.7%). The study populations predominantly consisted of individuals less than 17 years of age. Several studies reported that Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses demonstrated outshining efficacy in controlling axial length growth and reducing myopia progression compared to alternative interventions.

This scoping review identifies emerging technologies show potential in managing myopia progression, further research is needed to determine their long-term safety profiles, optimize treatment protocols, and address regional disparities in access to these options.