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Ortho-K found safe for myopia control
Orthokeratology is a safe option for myopia correction and retardation requiring proper lens fitting, rigorous compliance to lens care regimen, good adherence to routine follow-ups and timely treatment of complications, according to researchers in Eye and Contact Lens.
Liu and colleagues reviewed 170 publications, including 58 English and 112 Chinese articles.
Microbial keratitis was found to be the most serious and sight-threatening complication of orthokeratology (ortho-K). Researchers found that attributable factors for this complication were lack of training of practitioners and wearers, improper fitting procedures, poor compliance to lens care regimens and loss to routine follow-ups.
Ortho-K has been reported to increase both the frequency and the severity of staining.
Higher baseline myopia was reported to be positively associated with the level of corneal staining, according to researchers.
Lens binding was another commonly seen complication and was significantly associated with central corneal staining.
Pigmented iron ring or arcs and adjacent white linear lesions were significantly associated with the duration of ortho-K treatment, according to the review.
Clinically insignificant side effects such as epithelial pigment deposit and increasing visibility of fibrillary lines and transient changes of corneal biomechanical properties, also can exist, according to researchers.
“To better estimate the absolute prevalence and incidence of ortho-K related complications, future clinical practice and research should aim at establishing complete and systematic patient database and minimizing the rate of loss to follow-up in the cases of long-term treatment,” the researchers wrote. – by Abigail Sutton
Disclosure: The researchers reported no relevant financial disclosures.