Assessing the quality of myopia prevention videos on Chinese short video platforms: a cross-sectional content analysis by source

Abstract

Objectives: The prevalence of myopia has been rising, whereas prevention efforts have shown limited success. Educational short videos have become crucial sources for health information; however, their quality regarding myopia prevention is uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the quality and content of short videos on myopia prevention disseminated via major Chinese short video platforms and compare content differences between healthcare professionals and non-professional creators.

Design: A cross-sectional content analysis.

Setting: Top-ranked videos from three dominant Chinese platforms (TikTok, Kwai and BiliBili) in 6-10 August 2024.

Participants: 284 eligible videos screened from 300 initial results using predefined exclusion criteria, including 97 videos from TikTok, 94 from BiliBili and 93 from Kwai.

Methods: Videos were assessed using the Global Quality Scale and a modified DISCERN tool. Content completeness was evaluated across six predefined domains. Videos were categorised by source (healthcare professionals vs non-healthcare professionals), and intergroup differences were statistically analysed.

Results: Of the 284 videos, 48.9% were uploaded by healthcare professionals and 51.1% by non-healthcare professionals. Overall video quality was suboptimal. Videos by ophthalmologists had significantly higher quality scores than those by other creators. Healthcare professionals focused more on definitions, symptoms and risk factors of myopia, whereas non-healthcare professionals emphasised prevention and treatment outcomes. Ophthalmologists more frequently recommended corrective lenses (including both standard spectacles and specially designed lenses for myopia control) and low-dose atropine, whereas non-healthcare professionals favoured vision training.

Conclusions: Significant quality gaps exist in myopia prevention videos. Healthcare professionals, particularly ophthalmologists, produce higher-quality and more comprehensive content. Strategic engagement by healthcare professionals in digital health communication and platform-level quality control is needed to improve public health literacy on myopia.

Keywords: Myopia; OPHTHALMOLOGY; PUBLIC HEALTH.

Figure 1. Flowchart of videos related to myopia prevention and control included in this study.

Figure 2. Comparison of the median DISCERN (DIS) and Global Quality Score (GQS) in videos posted by different personnel. The distributions of the (A) DIS and (B) GQS among different sources are displayed by the ridge plot.

Figure 3. Comparison of average scores among different personnel. (A) Average DIS scores and significant differences between healthcare and non-healthcare professionals. (B) Average DIS scores and significant differences between ophthalmologists or optometrists and non-ophthalmologists or optometrists. (C) Average GQS and significant differences between healthcare and non-healthcare professionals. (D) Average GQS and significant differences between ophthalmologists or optometrists and non-ophthalmologists or optometrists. GQS, Global Quality Score; DIS, modified DISCERN tool

Figure 4. Radar map showing comparisons of content comprehensiveness. (A) Between healthcare and non-healthcare professionals. (B) Between ophthalmologists or optometrists and non-ophthalmologists or optometrists. (C) Among science bloggers, patients or relatives, non-profit organisations, news agents and healthcare professionals.

Figure 5. Vertical slice plots showing the frequency of mentions of different myopia prevention and control methods. Myopia prevention and control methods were mentioned 469 times in 237 videos.