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Meditation and breathing exercises may improve quality of life in patients with eye diseases

A systematic review of seven studies (six RCTs and one single-arm trial) found preliminary evidence that meditation and breathing exercises improve quality of life, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality in patients with eye diseases. However, the evidence is limited by concerns with study quality and short follow-up durations.

Last updated: Aug 14, 2026•0 RCTs•1 Meta-analyses•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score47/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis★★★☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. The Effects of Breathing Exercises and Meditation on Quality of Life Among Eye Disease Patients: A Systematic Review.

observational

Huang M, Sheng J, Yu B, Hutnik C, Thind A, Malvankar-Mehta MS · Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Meditation and breathing exercises
Outcome: Quality of life, anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, sleep quality
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Patients with any eye disease

Result:

PubMed: 42572763DOI: 10.2147/OPTH.S612746

Mechanism Graph

Meditation and breathing exercises activate the parasympathetic nervous system
↓
This reduces stress and anxiety
↓
Improved psychological well-being leads to better quality of life
↓
Result: Improved QOL and mental health outcomes

Limitations

  • ⚠Only seven studies included, with small sample sizes
  • ⚠Concerns with study quality and short follow-up periods
  • ⚠Heterogeneity in interventions and outcome measures

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of eye diseases were included in the review?▼

The review included patients with any eye disease, but specific conditions were not detailed in the abstract.

How many studies were included in the systematic review?▼

Seven studies were included: six randomized controlled trials and one single-arm trial.

What outcomes were measured in the included studies?▼

Five studies measured quality of life, four measured anxiety, two measured depression, and two measured sleep quality.

What is the overall conclusion of the review?▼

The review suggests that meditation and breathing exercises may improve quality of life in eye disease patients, but more rigorous studies with longer follow-up are needed.

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References

  1. 1.Huang M, Sheng J, Yu B, Hutnik C, Thind A, Malvankar-Mehta MS. "The Effects of Breathing Exercises and Meditation on Quality of Life Among Eye Disease Patients: A Systematic Review.." Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.), 2026. PMID: 42572763 DOI: 10.2147/OPTH.S612746
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.