The effect of orthokeratology on controlling the development of myopia in adolescents

Objective To evaluate the effect of orthokeratology in controlling the development of myopia in adolescents. Methods One hundred and six adolescents with myopia were included in this study. The average age was (15.02±3.89)years. The average spherical equivalent refraction was (-3.85±1.43)D. The average corneal curvature was (43.39±1.44)D. The patients were fitted with overnight orthokeratology lenses according to the standard procedure. Regular aftercare visits were made during the following three years. Patients were then required to discontinue wearing orthokeratology lenses for one month after the three-year period. The changes in refraction and corneal curvature were measured. Results One month after patients discontinued wearing orthokeratology lenses, the average spherical equivalent refraction was (-4.34±1.43)D. The spherical equivalent refraction increased (-0.49±0.68)D over the three years (t test, t=9.75, P0.01). There was a 0.15 D increase in myopia every year. The average corneal curvature was (43.30±1.42)D. There was no significant difference in corneal curvature compared to measurements taken prior to wearing orthokeratology lenses (t test, t=1.95, P0.05). Conclusion The increase in myopia was about 0.15 D every year. Orthokeratology can control the development of myopia in adolescents. The active mechanisms should be studied further.