Influência dos hábitos visuais, fatores ambientais e comportamentais na progressão da miopia infantil

uma revisão integrativa.

Abstract

Childhood myopia constitutes a significant global public health problem due to the progressive increase in its prevalence and the possible associated ophthalmological complications. Although genetic factors are involved in its etiology, recent evidence suggests that visual habits, environmental and behavioral factors play a significant role in the development and progression of this refractive error. This study aimed to analyze the influence of these factors on the progression of childhood myopia, identifying the main risk factors and protective factors described in recent scientific literature. This is an integrative literature review conducted in the databases Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (BDTD), SciELO, Google Scholar, PubMed, and UpToDate. The descriptors "myopia childhood," "risk factors myopia," and "myopia childhood progression" were used, in Portuguese and English. The inclusion criteria included articles published between 2020 and 2025, available in full, in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, that addressed factors related to the development of myopia in children. After applying the eligibility criteria, 20 studies comprised the final sample. The results showed that the progression of childhood myopia has a multifactorial character, being strongly influenced by the excessive use of electronic devices, increased near vision activities, sedentary lifestyle, changes in sleep patterns, and reduced exposure to natural light. In contrast, outdoor activities, regular physical exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits showed a protective effect. It is concluded that the adoption of strategies aimed at promoting eye health, family awareness, and the reduction of modifiable risk factors is fundamental to minimizing the progression of childhood myopia and its future impacts on the visual health of the population.