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Researchers: Clinicians should address myopia progression in children
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Current orthokeratology and dual focus contact lenses can significantly reduce myopia progression, according to researchers in Optometry & Vision Science.
The case series of 110 patients was a self-selected cohort who were screened for current myopia progression before admission to the clinic at the University of Auckland Optometry School.
A total of 56 patients were prescribed orthokeratology (ortho-K), 32 wore dual focus soft contact lenses, and 22 received advice only. Mean follow-up time for ortho-K and dual focus soft contact lenses was the about the same at 1.3 years and 1.33 years, respectively.
Researchers found no difference in initial mean sphere, number of myopic parents or ethnicity among all three groups.
A younger presenting age was correlated with a higher presenting progression rate, shorter vitreous chamber depth and a shorter axial eye length, the researchers said.
The progression rates during treatment did not vary significantly in either treatment group.
Ortho-K patients spent an average of 8.64 hours in clinic compared to 4.36 hours for those with dual focus contact lenses, according to the results
When compared to pretreatment progression rates, ortho-K and dual focus contact lenses decreased by 92% and 91%, respectively.
“...It does not seem that the control of myopia has come of age, and on the balance of risk and benefit, we suggest that the default position of a clinician should be to justify why they should not begin anti-myopia treatment in children with progressing myopia,” the researchers added. – by Abigail Sutton
Disclosure: Some products used in the clinic were supplied at reduced cost by manufacturers.
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