Experimental research of prevention and treatment of myopia by vision improvement qigong exercise

Myopia is a disorder of higher incidence in teenagers. Although various treatments have been adopted by the scholars at home and abroad with some effect. yet up to now the spreading tendency of the problem has not been controlled. We have designed the 'vision improvement qigong exercise' according to the theories of traditional Chinese and modern medicine. At first it pays great attention to improve the whole-body quality, strengthen the function of the heart, liver, kidney and regulate the meridian system. At the same time it takes notice of eyes’ pathological changes, by relieving the spasm of ciliary muscles and improving blood circulation. The exercise is divided into 9 movements and takes 10-12 minutes for the whole process. The 9 movements include: 1. Standing quietly and relaxing for I minute; 2. Stretching the body to regulate the meridian system; 3. Swinging arms and turning eyes for 6 times; 4. Massaging the eyes with the thenar for 3 times; 5. Massaging 6 points with the middle finger; 6. Gazing into the distance from further to nearer, and vice versa for 6 times; 7. Massaging the head and the face for 3 times; 8. Pushing out and gazing into the palms for 6 times; 9. Ending the exercise.

Since 1982 we have conducted tests for preventing and treating myopia in 1712 secondary school students in Zhengzhou, Jiyuan and Pingdingshan. These students were divided into two groups randomly the treatment group and the control group doing 'setting-up exercises of eyes'. Under the same condition, the tests of vision and diopter were given before and after the treatment, and evaluation of effectiveness was made after treatment.

The total effective rate for Group I was 67.67%. The improvement rate was 73.21% for functional myopia—a main type in teenager myopia. The highest effective was 91.44 % and the incidence of myopia dropped to 11.94%. Through three months’ treatment for 65 myopias at Pingdingshan high school, No. 1, the diopter declined to 0.1678D in average. All these experimental results proved the curative effect of the treatment group superior to that of the control group.

Results from many districts demonstrate that the exercise is effective not only to functional myopia and mild myopia but also to true and serious myopia. On the other hand, it is helpful to normal eyes.