In most cases, myopia is caused by physical properties of the eye (wrong length, etc.). Relaxing the ciliary muscle actually increases the focal distance, so I don't see how muscle-oriented exercises would help.
> in fact, that's a part of what happens when you get atropine drops during an eye exam
Even a fully paralyzed ciliary muscle cannot overcome a wrong geometry of your eye. Whether atropine has any real effect on myopia is controversly discussed.
I agree with everything you said except the last sentence. The (temporary) effect of atropine is well known and uncontroversial, anyone with severe myopia will tell you the same thing - after it takes effect, you'll be able to easily read the Snellen chart with a weaker prescription than you needed before, in my case by about 1D (the extent varies substantially obviously).
As for the rest, like I said - I don't endorse any of the proposed exercise regimens or see much support for them. I was simply pointing out that muscles do affect eyesight and briefly explained how.
> anyone with severe myopia will tell you the same thing
I doubt that. Yes, small children tend to have high ciliary muscle tone, resulting in errors of 0.7D in average. That's well known and that's the reason for cycloplegic refraction. But what's the effect for adults? 0.2D on average?
I've had high myopia since childhood and for me the effect hasn't diminished (comparing between my annual checkups). I don't know any reliable statistics for this, however, only anecdotal experiences and consultations with my various ophtalmologists over the years. Do note that I'm only talking about cases of high myopia (in the 6-12D range at least), I don't know if the effect is as perceptible to someone with better eyesight.
> in fact, that's a part of what happens when you get atropine drops during an eye exam
Even a fully paralyzed ciliary muscle cannot overcome a wrong geometry of your eye. Whether atropine has any real effect on myopia is controversly discussed.