Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective comparative study. PURPOSE: To evaluate effect of extended blinking exercise in mild myopia. METHODS: 80 myopes aged 11-40 years were divided into two groups of 40 each. Group A was given extended blinking exercise and its effect was compared with Group B (without exercise). RESULTS: In group A, mean visual acuity (VA) in right eye was 0.28±0.17 log MAR units and improved to 0.07±0.12 log MAR units post exercise(p<0.001). Mean spherical equivalent (SE) was -0.703±0.45 dioptre (D) and reduced to -0.21±0.34 D post exercise(p<0.001). In left eye, mean VA was 0.3±0.17 log MAR units and improved to 0.06±0.12 log MAR units post exercise(p<0.001). The SE reduced from -0.68±0.45 D to -0.20±0.3 D post exercise(p<0.001). The change in vision and refractive status were not statistically significant in group B. CONCLUSION: Extended blinking exercise significantly improved visual acuity and reduced refractive error in mild myopia.