Orthokeratologic correction of progressive myopia in children with a history of retinopathy of prematurity

Purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of orthokeratological lenses (OCL) in the correction of progressive myopia in children with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) on the basis of long-term (up to 4 years) dynamic follow-up.

Material and methods. The study included 150 children aged 8–12 years (mean 10.2 ± 1.3 years) with ROP and progressive myopia from –0.75 to –8.25 D. In the study group (n = 125), nocturnal OCL (E-System, Boston XO) were used. Children in the control group (n = 25) were prescribed soft contact lenses.

Results. The duration of lens use was 12–48 months (average 32.1 ± 2.4 months). In 60 % of patients in the study group, a slow progression of myopia was observed, i.e., an increase in refraction by 0.25–0.5 D per year; in 30 % of patients, a rapid progression (more than 1 D per year) requiring especially careful monitoring and correction; in 10 % of children, myopia was stable, with an increase of less than 0.25 D per year. The use of OCL in all patients made it possible to achieve visual acuity without correction at the end of follow-up of 0.98 ± 0.06 (baseline 0.09 ± 0.08). The increase in myopic refraction averaged –0.43 ± 0.22 D (2 times lower than in the control group), the axial length of the eye increased by 0.06 ± 0.03 mm.

Conclusion. Orthokeratology demonstrates high efficiency in stabilizing mild and moderate myopia in children with ROP, reducing the need for constant optical correction.

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