Study Links Near Exophoria to Increased Myopia Risk in Children

A recent study presented at the 2025 American Optometric Association Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has established a significant correlation between near exophoria and the severity of myopia in children. This research comes at a time when global myopia rates are on the rise, attributed largely to increased near-work activities and screen usage among young people.

The study, conducted by Dr. Saif Hassan Alrasheed, a faculty member of Optometry and Visual Sciences at Al-Neelain University, examined 117 children aged 6 to 15 who were diagnosed with myopia ranging from 1 to 6 diopters. These children, treated at the Al-Neelain Eye Hospital in Sudan, exhibited varying degrees of near exophoria, a condition in which the eyes diverge when focusing on close objects. Notably, 81.2% of participants had a parental history of myopia, indicating a potential genetic linkage to the condition.

According to the findings, there was a mean near exophoria of 4.65 ± 3.47 diopters among the participants, which demonstrated a positive correlation with the spherical equivalent of myopia (P = .002). However, the study did not find significant associations between accommodation amplitude or near point of convergence and myopia severity, suggesting that near exophoria could play a more critical role in the development of myopia.

Dr. Alrasheed emphasized the importance of comprehensive eye examinations that assess binocular vision, particularly for children with myopia. "Detecting and managing binocular vision disorders, such as exophoria, could help slow myopia progression and enhance visual comfort during near work," he stated. The study highlights the necessity for further research into the dynamic interactions between environmental factors, such as increased screen time, and binocular vision anomalies.

The rising prevalence of myopia, particularly in East Asia, has been well-documented, with studies indicating that children who engage in extensive near-work activities are at a higher risk of developing severe myopia. A 2022 study published in the journal Medicine found no increase in myopia incidence among rural school children in Taiwan despite common physiological exophoria, suggesting that factors contributing to myopia may vary across different populations (Hsu et al., 2022).

The implications of this study are critical, not only for understanding the mechanics of myopia but also for shaping public health strategies aimed at mitigating the epidemic of myopia. As screen usage continues to escalate, particularly among young populations, the findings underscore an urgent need for educational initiatives that promote healthy visual habits.

In conclusion, this study reinforces the link between near exophoria and myopia severity in children and calls for further investigation into the interplay of environmental factors and ocular health. It is evident that a multifaceted approach will be essential in addressing the rising rates of myopia in future generations.

### References Alrasheed, S. (2025). Myopia severity in children: impact of near exophoria, vergence, and accommodation. Abstract presented at the 2025 American Optometric Association Conference in Minneapolis, MN, June 25-28, 2025. Hsu, J. H., Lai, L. J., Tung, T. H., & Hsu, W. H. (2022). Physiological exophoria did not increase the incidence of myopia in rural school children in Taiwan. Medicine (Baltimore), 101(25), e29482. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000029482.