Add-on effect of using 0.05% atropine in fast progressors of orthokeratology: A preliminary retrospective study

To investigate the potential benefit of combining orthokeratology (OK) lenses with 0.05% atropine ophthalmic solution on the efficacy of myopia control in the fast progressors of OK.

Average axial length (AL) elongation of both eyes in 70 participants using OK lenses alone or OK lenses combined with 0.05 % atropine ophthalmic solution was retrospectively reviewed. During the observation period (phase 1), all participants exhibited an AL elongation that exceeded 0.15 mm over a 6-month period or 0.3 mm over a 12-month period. Subsequently, the participants were divided into two groups: one group received nightly 0.05 % atropine ophthalmic solution in addition to OK lenses for another 1 year (OKA), while the other group continued using OK lenses alone (phase 2). The changes in AL elongation over time and the differences in AL elongation between the two groups were then compared.

The baseline and phase 1 demographics and characteristics of the participants was similar between the two groups (all p > 0.05). when considering a one-year timeframe, the OKA group displayed a significantly less AL elongation compared to the OK group (0.14 ± 0.13 mm vs 0.27 ± 0.12 mm, p < 0.001). Within the OKA group, the AL elongation in the second half of the year was significantly faster than in the first half (0.12 ± 0.11 mm vs 0.02 ± 0.14 mm, p = 0.01). Conversely, there was no significant difference in AL elongation between the OK group in the first and second half of the year (0.12 ± 0.07 mm vs 0.15 ± 0.08 mm, p = 0.71). The combination of 0.05 % atropine ophthalmic solution had a significant effect on 1-year AL elongation (p < 0.001).

This study provided preliminary evidence that the combination of OK lenses and 0.05% atropine ophthalmic solution can significantly enhance the effectiveness of myopia control.