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Published on: March 29, 2022
Decrease in rate of myopia progression with a contact lens designed to reduce relative peripheral hyperopia: one-year
Padmaja Sankaridurg1, Brien Holden, Earl Smith
1Brien Holden Vision Institute, Sydney, Australia.
Insights
Novel contact lenses designed to reduce peripheral hyperopia significantly slowed myopia progression in children. This optical treatment reduced spherical equivalent progression by 34% and axial length increase by 33% over 12 months.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry
- Pediatric Eye Care
Background:
- Myopia, a common refractive error, is progressing globally, particularly in children.
- Peripheral hyperopia is hypothesized to be a driver of axial elongation and myopia progression.
- Effective myopia control strategies are crucial for preventing high myopia and associated ocular pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of novel optical contact lenses in slowing myopia progression.
- To determine if reducing relative peripheral hyperopia with contact lenses impacts refractive development.
- To assess the 12-month impact of this intervention on spherical equivalent and axial length changes in children.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving Chinese children aged 7-14 years with existing myopia.
- Participants were fitted with either novel myopia-controlling contact lenses or standard single-vision spectacles.
- Follow-up included refractive error and axial length measurements over a 12-month period.
Main Results:
- Novel contact lenses demonstrated a 34% reduction in spherical equivalent progression compared to spectacles (-0.57 D vs. -0.86 D).
- Axial length increase was significantly reduced by 33% in the contact lens group (0.27 mm vs. 0.40 mm).
- These findings were statistically significant after adjusting for relevant confounding factors.
Conclusions:
- The study supports the hypothesis that correcting peripheral hyperopia can modulate central refractive development.
- Novel optical contact lenses represent a promising intervention for slowing myopia progression in pediatric populations.
- Further research can explore long-term efficacy and broader applicability of this myopia control method.
Purpose:
To determine whether a novel optical treatment using contact lenses to reduce relative peripheral hyperopia can slow the rate of progress of myopia.
Methods:
Chinese children, aged 7 to 14 years, with baseline myopia from sphere -0.75 to -3.50 D and cylinder ≤1.00 D, were fitted with novel contact lenses (n = 45) and followed up for 12 months, and their progress was compared with that of a group (n = 40) matched for age, sex, refractive error, axial length, and parental myopia wearing normal, single-vision, spherocylindrical spectacles.
Results:
On adjusting for parental myopia, sex, age, baseline spherical equivalent (SphE) values, and compliance, the estimated progression in SphE at 12 months was 34% less, at -0.57 D, with the novel contact lenses (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.45 -0.69 D) than at -0.86 D, with spectacle lenses (95% CI, -0.74 to -0.99 D). For an average baseline age of 11.2 years, baseline SphE of -2.10 D, a baseline axial length of 24.6 mm, and 320 days of compliant lens wear, the estimated increase in axial length (AL) was 33% less at 0.27 mm (95% CI, 0.22-0.32 mm) than at 0.40 mm (95% CI, 0.35-0.45 mm) for the contact lens and spectacle lens groups, respectively.
Conclusions:
The 12-month data support the hypothesis that reducing peripheral hyperopia can alter central refractive development and reduce the rate of progress of myopia. (chictr.org number, chiCTR-TRC-00000029 or chiCTR-TRC-00000032.).
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