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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC 4.0The Journal of International Medical Research

Postural stability in young adults with low-degree refractive errors: A prospective observational study

  • Emine Çetin Duru1
  • Aynura Sariyeva Aydamirov2
  • Ayna Sariyeva Ismayilov3
  1. 1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, SBU Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Turkey
  2. 2Department of Ophthalmology, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University Training and Research Hospital, Turkey
  3. 3Department of Ophthalmology, Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, Turkey
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Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether uncorrected low-degree refractive errors are associated with alterations in postural stability in young adults using the Biodex Balance System.

Methods: This prospective observational study included 71 young adults classified into three groups: (a) emmetropia (n = 23); (b) low-degree myopia (n = 20); and (c) low-degree astigmatism (n = 28). The emmetropic group served as the comparison group. Postural stability was evaluated using the Biodex Balance System under four testing conditions: (a) eyes open–firm surface; (b) eyes closed–firm surface; (c) eyes open–foam surface; and (d) eyes closed–foam surface. Primary outcomes included the overall stability index and central stability percentage. Secondary outcomes included sway velocity and sway index measurements.

Results: Participants with low-degree astigmatism demonstrated significantly higher instability and lower central stability compared with the emmetropic and low-myopia groups (both p < 0.001). In unadjusted comparisons, there were no significant differences in the overall stability index or central stability percentage between the low-myopia and emmetropia groups (p = 0.717 and 0.166, respectively). Adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index confirmed significant overall refractive-group effects for both primary outcomes (both p < 0.001). Sway velocity and sway index values were significantly higher in the low-myopia group during eyes-open tasks, particularly in the eyes open–firm surface and eyes open–foam surface conditions (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). No significant between-group differences were observed during eyes-closed assessments.

Conclusions: Uncorrected low-degree refractive errors were associated with measurable differences in postural stability, particularly under conditions relying on visual feedback. Low-degree astigmatism was associated with reduced overall stability, whereas low-degree myopia was associated with greater sway during visually guided tasks. These findings suggest that even mild refractive changes may have functional implications for balance performance in young adults.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{duru2026postural,
  title = {{Postural stability in young adults with low-degree refractive errors: A prospective observational study}},
  author = {Emine Çetin Duru and Aynura Sariyeva Aydamirov and Ayna Sariyeva Ismayilov},
  journal = {The Journal of International Medical Research},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.1177/03000605261489342},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605261489342},
  note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Postural stability in young adults with low-degree refractive errors: A prospective observational study
AU  - Emine Çetin Duru
AU  - Aynura Sariyeva Aydamirov
AU  - Ayna Sariyeva Ismayilov
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/22
JO  - The Journal of International Medical Research
DO  - 10.1177/03000605261489342
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605261489342
AB  - Objective: To investigate whether uncorrected low-degree refractive errors are associated with alterations in postural stability in young adults using the Biodex Balance System.  Methods: This prospective observational study included 71 young adults classified into three groups: (a) emmetropia (n = 23); (b) low-degree myopia (n = 20); and (c) low-degree astigmatism (n = 28). The emmetropic group served as the comparison group. Postural stability was evaluated using the Biodex Balance System under four testing conditions: (a) eyes open–firm surface; (b) eyes closed–firm surface; (c) eyes open–foam surface; and (d) eyes closed–foam surface. Primary outcomes included the overall stability index and central stability percentage. Secondary outcomes included sway velocity and sway index measurements.  Results: Participants with low-degree astigmatism demonstrated significantly higher instability and lower central stability compared with the emmetropic and low-myopia groups (both p < 0.001). In unadjusted comparisons, there were no significant differences in the overall stability index or central stability percentage between the low-myopia and emmetropia groups (p = 0.717 and 0.166, respectively). Adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index confirmed significant overall refractive-group effects for both primary outcomes (both p < 0.001). Sway velocity and sway index values were significantly higher in the low-myopia group during eyes-open tasks, particularly in the eyes open–firm surface and eyes open–foam surface conditions (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). No significant between-group differences were observed during eyes-closed assessments.  Conclusions: Uncorrected low-degree refractive errors were associated with measurable differences in postural stability, particularly under conditions relying on visual feedback. Low-degree astigmatism was associated with reduced overall stability, whereas low-degree myopia was associated with greater sway during visually guided tasks. These findings suggest that even mild refractive changes may have functional implications for balance performance in young adults.
SN  - 0300-0605
SN  - 1473-2300
ER  -