Can rotating the eyeballs treat high myopia?

In general, high myopia cannot be cured by moving the eyes, although moderate eye movement may help alleviate visual fatigue to some extent. The core issue of high myopia is excessive elongation of the axial length or abnormal corneal curvature, which are structural changes that cannot be reversed by any muscle exercises. A detailed analysis is as follows:

Eye movement involves the extraocular muscles and can temporarily increase blood flow around the eyes, relieving eye strain, soreness, and dryness caused by prolonged near-work. However, such movements cannot shorten the axial length or reshape the cornea, thus having no long-term effect on refractive error. Some individuals may feel their vision improves after moving their eyes, but this is usually due to temporary ciliary muscle relaxation and transient fluctuations in accommodation, not actual improvement in myopia.

Effective interventions require proper medical treatment. Refractive surgeries such as excimer laser (LASIK) or femtosecond laser surgery correct refractive errors by reshaping the corneal stroma and are suitable for adults with stable refraction and sufficient corneal thickness. For patients with extreme myopia or thin corneas, implantable collamer lens (ICL) surgery—implanting an artificial lens inside the eye—may be a better option. In children showing pathological progression, posterior scleral reinforcement surgery can be considered, using donor or synthetic biomaterials to strengthen the posterior wall of the eyeball and slow further axial elongation.

Optical correction remains the foundation. For eyeglasses, high-index lenses are recommended to reduce peripheral distortion; for contact lenses, rigid gas-permeable materials or specially designed soft lenses are preferred. Children under professional supervision may combine corrective methods with low-concentration atropine eye drops to slow the progression of myopia.

Patients with high myopia should undergo cycloplegic refraction and fundus examinations every six months. They should avoid high-impact activities such as diving or boxing to prevent retinal tears or detachment. When reading, maintain a distance of at least 40 cm and look up at a distant target (at least 6 meters away) for at least 20 seconds every 30 minutes. Increase intake of dark green vegetables and deep-sea fish rich in lutein and DHA, and minimize screen use in dark environments. Immediate medical attention is required if symptoms such as flashes of light, sudden increase in floaters, or visual field defects occur.