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A Method to Quantify Visual Information Processing in Children Using Eye Tracking
Published on: July 9, 2016
Role of waveform signal parameters in the classification of children as relatively slow and fast myopia progressors
Kin Wan1, James Stuart Wolffsohn2, Pauline Cho1
1School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKSAR, Hong Kong, China.
Insights
Baseline corneal biomechanics and age can predict myopia progression in children undergoing orthokeratology. This helps determine the risk/benefit ratio for faster myopia progression.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pediatric Optometry
Background:
- Orthokeratology is a myopia control treatment.
- Identifying children with fast myopia progression is crucial for risk/benefit assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if baseline corneal biomechanics can classify slow versus fast myopia progression in children undergoing orthokeratology.
- To identify predictors of myopia progression in pediatric orthokeratology patients.
Main Methods:
- Children aged 6-12 years with low myopia and astigmatism were randomized to two orthokeratology lens groups.
- Corneal biomechanics and axial length were measured at baseline.
- Fast progressors were defined as axial elongation >= 0.34 mm per 2 years.
Main Results:
- No significant baseline differences between groups.
- Fast progressors showed significantly higher p2area1 (corneal biomechanical parameter).
- Baseline age and p2area1 differentiated between slow and fast progressors.
Conclusions:
- Corneal biomechanics, specifically p2area1, may predict axial elongation in pediatric orthokeratology.
- Baseline age is also a significant factor in predicting myopia progression.
- These findings can aid in personalized risk assessment for orthokeratology treatment.
Clinical Relevance:
Identification of the baseline chracteristics for children undergoing orthokeratology with relatively fast myopia progression can allow a more accurate determination of the risk/benefit ratio.
Background:
This study aimed to investigate if baseline corneal biomechanics can classify relatively slow and fast myopia progression in children.
Methods:
Children aged six to 12 years with low myopia (0.50 to 4.00 D) and astigmatism (less than or equal to 1.25 D), were recruited. Participants were randomised to be fitted with orthokeratology contact lenses with a conventional compression factor (0.75 D, n = 29) or an increased compression factor (1.75 D, n = 33). Relatively fast progressors were defined as participants who had axial elongation of 0.34 mm or above per 2 years. A binomial logistic regression analysis and a classification and regression tree model were used in the data analysis. The corneal biomechanics were measured with a bidirectional applanation device. The axial length was measured by a masked examiner.
Results:
As there were no significant between-group differences in the baseline data (all p > 0.05), data were combined for analysis. The mean ± SD axial elongation for relatively slow (n = 27) and fast (n = 35) progressors were 0.18 ± 0.14 mm and 0.64 ± 0.23 mm per 2 years, respectively. The area under the curve (p2area1) was significantly higher in relatively fast progressors (p = 0.018). The binomial logistic regression and classification and regression tree model analysis showed that baseline age and p2area1 could differentiate between slow and fast progressors over 2 years.
Conclusions:
Corneal biomechanics could be a potential predictor of axial elongation in orthokeratology contact lens-wearing children.

