Comparison of four different orthokeratology lenses in controlling myopia progression

Purpose To compare axial length (AL) elongation in myopic children with four Orthokeratology (OrthoK) lenses and spectacles. Methods The medical records of 266 patients (532 eyes) who were fitted with OrthoK lenses or spectacles (control group) were reviewed. Data collection included baseline age, gender, baseline objective sphere and cylinder, baseline flat and steep corneal meridian power, corneal asphericity coefficient (Q value), AL at baseline and after 1-year, and 2-years of OrthoK or spectacle wear analyzed using analysis of repeated measures data ANOVA. Stepwise linear regressions between the changes in AL after 2 years relative to baseline parameters were calculated for the OrthoK and control groups separately. Results The baseline subject parameters for each of the four OrthoK lenses were not statistically different. Statistically significant differences between time points were found between 12- and 24- months (all P < 0.05). AL growth was slower in all OrthoK groups than in the control group (all P < 0.05). AL grew 0.081±0.034 mm per year slightly less than average with Essence compared to the Mouldway OrthoK group (P = 0.019). The coefficient of regression weakly expressed between the increases in AL over 2-years study period and baseline spherical equivalent refraction was 0.065 in Essence, 0.079 in Euclid and 0.087 in Mouldway. The coefficient of regression was also weakly between age and the increases AL over 2-years study period and baseline age in all groups. Conclusion Different OrthoK lenses differ minimally in slowing axial elongation effectively in myopic children during 2-years lens wear.