High myopia control is comparable between multifocal rigid gas-permeable lenses and spectacles

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Pediatric Eye Care

Background:

• Myopia progression can lead to ocular pathology.
• Controlling high myopia is crucial for reducing long-term vision risks.
• Novel contact lens designs are being explored for myopia management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of custom-designed multifocal rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses in controlling high myopia.
• To compare the myopia control potential of multifocal RGP lenses against single-vision spectacles.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical records for children (5-17 years) fitted with spectacles or multifocal RGP lenses.
• Inclusion criteria: high myopia (≤ -6.00 D or axial length ≥ 26.5 mm) and astigmatism (≥ -2.00 D).
• Axial length and refraction measured at baseline, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up visits; changes compared between groups.

Main Results:

• After 1 year (n=77), mean axial elongation was 0.20 mm (multifocal RGP) vs. 0.21 mm (spectacles), with no significant difference (p=0.835).
• After 2 years (n=41), mean axial elongation was 0.37 mm (multifocal RGP) vs. 0.43 mm (spectacles) at 2 years, also without significant difference (p=0.224).
• Axial length increased at comparable rates in both the multifocal RGP lens and spectacle groups.

Conclusions:

• Multifocal rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses showed no significant impact on controlling high myopia progression compared to spectacles.
• Current custom multifocal RGP lens designs may not offer superior myopia control over standard single-vision spectacles.
• Further research into specialized multifocal RGP lens designs for myopia control is warranted.