Efficacy of orthokeratology lenses with increased compression factor in the control of axial length for myopic patients of different ages

AIM: To compare the changes in axial length of myopic patients of different ages after wearing orthokeratology lenses with increased compression factor(ICF)or conventional compression factor(CCF)for 2 a.METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 141 myopia patients(141 right eyes)aged 8 to 15 years who fitted with orthokeratology lenses in the General Hospital of Foshan Aier Eye Hospital from July 2020 to July 2021 were continuously included. They were divided into the CCF group(70 cases, 70 eyes)and the ICF group(71 cases, 71 eyes). The patients in the CCF group were fitted with orthokeratology lens of 0.75 DS CCF, while patients in the ICF group were fitted with orthokeratology lens of 1.25 D ICF. Taking 12 years old as a boundary, these two groups were divided into 8-11 years old and 12-15 years old group. The uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), horizontal corneal curvature(K1)and corneal staining were recorded for all subjects after wearing lenses for 1 d, 1 wk, 1, 6 mo, 1 and 2 a. The axial length(AL)was recorded after wearing lenses for 6 mo, 1 and 2 a, and the complication and corneal epithelial staining were observed during lens wearing.RESULTS:The improvement of UCVA in the ICF group was faster than that in the CCF group, which were statistical significant after wearing lenses for 1 d, 1 wk and 1 mo, respectively(all P0.05); K1 of the ICF group decreased faster than that of the CCF group, and there were statistical significance at 1 d, 1 wk, and 1 mo after wearing lenses(all P0.05). The axial length growth of patients aged 8-11 years old in the ICF group and CCF group was 0.35±0.17 and 0.48±0.26 mm, respectively(P=0.010), after wearing lenses for 2 a, and the axial length growth of patients aged 12-15 years old in the ICF group and CCF group was 0.16±0.15 and 0.31±0.29 mm, respectively(P=0.011). During the follow-up period, corneal spotting occurred in 6 eyes(8.5%)in the ICF group, and 7 eyes(10%)in the CCF group(P>0.05), all of which were grade 1 spotting.CONCLUSION:Wearing ICF orthokeratology lens is more effective than wearing CCF lenses in controlling the growth of axial length, with faster shaping and more obvious improvement in UCVA, especially for the prevention of high myopia in children under 12 years. Therefore, young children can give priority to wearing lenses that increase the compression factor, and for children over 12 years old, the compression factor of the lens can be selectively increased according to the wearer's eye habits, health status of ocular surface and visual function.