Effectiveness of occular muscle exercises on myopic individuals with forward head posture

Abstract

Background: The dependence of today’s younger generation on technology is increasing and the work hours spent by professionals in front of computer screens are also increasing. These are the leading causes of myopia. Task related postural adaptation may also cause myopia. However, very few if any people suffering from myopia are being referred to a physiotherapist. There is positive effect of ocular muscle exercises on increasing visual acuity and decreasing stress on the ocular muscles. Objective: The objective of this study was to find out the effect of ocular muscle exercises on myopic individuals with forward head posture. Method: There were total 46 subjects who were willing participants of this study. Pre intervention and post intervention visual acuity and postural assessment were taken and analysed. Experimental group received exercises and control group was advised to use spectales or contact lenses for 6 weeks. Result: There was a significant effect of the ocular exercises on craniovertebral angle of these myopic individuals compared to administration of no exercises at all (p = 0.0219). Its effect on forward shoulder angle was not quite significant (p = 0.0619). There was no significant effect on degree of myopia post intervention (p = 0.3275). Conclusion: Ocular exercises are not quite effective in improving forward head posture.