Exploration of virtual reality applications in myopia: A systematic review.

Background: Multiple interventions are available to prevent or slow myopia progression, the rapidly rising prevalence highlights the need to enhance both the development of novel approaches and adherence to existing strategies. Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology in ophthalmology and vision science, yet its potential applications in myopia remain underexplored. Main text: To explore the prior application, if any, of VR in myopia research. A systematic search was conducted across nine databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, SpringerLink, and ScienceDirect, to identify journal articles and conference proceedings reporting application of VR in myopia. The search terms used were "Virtual Reality", "VR", "myopia", "nearsightedness", "shortsightedness", "refractive errors", and "refractive disorder". The search covered publications from inception to April 6, 2025. Risk of bias was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist, with assessments performed independently by two authors. Conclusion: A total of sixteen articles fit the criteria and were included in the review. Of these, seven investigated VR-based interventions for myopia, an additional four were focused on testing and diagnostic applications, three articles reported on vision training, and the remaining two articles were related to educational uses. None were related to myopia control. All studies were published between 2016 and 2024. With respect to the VR technologies, eleven studies utilized commercial VR headsets and/or smartphones paired with VR viewers as experimental devices. Fully immersive virtual environments or systems were also commonly employed in the included studies. Most studies focused on the usability and validity of VR technologies in this context. Conclusions: None of the articles reported on the efficacy of VR in preventing or slowing myopia progression, however, our review identified the potential of VR in auxiliary aspects of myopia, including testing, diagnosis, intervention, vision training, and education. Further research is warranted to evaluate the practical feasibility, clinical effectiveness, safety, and broader applicability of VR technologies in myopia.