The Role of Orthokeratology in Myopia Control: A Review

The prevalence of myopia and high myopia has significantly increased worldwide and in the United States. The serious implications of these trends are being recognized. Myopia is not just a minor inconvenience requiring vision correction with glasses or contact lenses, but a disease process creating significant risk of serious vision-threatening eye disease. Various methods of treatment for myopia and myopic progression have been prescribed and studied in effort to find one that is effective, safe, and that patients will be compliant with. Numerous peer-reviewed studies have shown orthokeratology (OrthoK) is effective in slowing myopic progression. This review article covers the development of OrthoK, its mechanism of action, its evolution, and refinement from a refractive option to its use as a mean of slowing myopic progression. After detailing patterns of myopia progression, a description of theories and studies as to how OrthoK slows myopia progression in children is also explained. The review will focus on progression of myopia and the use of OrthoK to slow myopia progression after myopia has been diagnosed.