Changes of corneal biomechanics in children using orthokeratology and their roles in predicting axial length progression—A prospective 2‐year study

Abstract

AbstractPurposeTo determine how orthokeratology (ortho‐k) affects corneal biomechanical properties in myopia control and whether corneal biomechanical parameters can predict clinical efficacy of ortho‐k.MethodsA total of 125 children 7–15 years of age using ortho‐k lenses were followed in this clinical practice and data of their right eyes were analysed. Corneal biomechanical parameters and most ocular biometry were measured at baseline, 1 week, and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Axial length (AL) was collected every 6 months after baseline measurements.ResultsDuring the 2‐year follow up, nine corneal biomechanical parameters, including deformation amplitude maximum (DA), varied between baseline and 1 week (p < 0.05) and stabilized during the rest of wearing period (p > 0.05). The mean AL increased from 25.02 ± 0.84 mm to 25.38 ± 0.81 mm and baseline DA strongly correlated with AL progression (Pearson r = 0.37). In the multiple regression models, baseline age, AL and DA were the independent factors for AL progression (R2: 0.7849, 0.2180 in low and moderate myopes). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves using the three variables for predicting excessive AL progression (>0.35 mm during 2 years) in low and moderate myopes was 0.902 and 0.698.ConclusionsCorneal biomechanics firstly fluctuated before becoming stable with long‐term ortho‐k use. Corneal biomechanics was associated with AL progression in children wearing ortho‐k lenses. DA combined with age and AL at baseline could predict AL progression in low myopes using ortho‐k.