Choroidal Control Technology: New Horizons in Maculopathy and Presbyopia

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Vision Science

Background:

• Presbyopia correction with standard reading glasses can induce myopic defocus.
• Myopic defocus is associated with choroidal thickening.
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) may influence ocular responses to refractive correction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate choroidal thickness changes in presbyopic patients during reading.
• To compare the effects of conventional glasses versus choroidal control glasses.
• To assess differences between patients with and without Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

Main Methods:

• Pilot study involving 33 eyes of 24 presbyopic patients (60-80 years old).
• Patients were divided into two age-matched groups: with and without AMD.
• Axial length was measured using ocular biometry at baseline, after reading with conventional lenses, and after reading with peripheral hyperopic defocus glasses.

Main Results:

• Presbyopes without AMD showed significant axial length shortening with conventional lenses, largely reversed by hyperopic defocus lenses (indicating choroidal thinning).
• Patients with AMD exhibited greater axial length shortening with conventional lenses.
• Both groups showed axial lengthening with defocus glasses, but the response was proportionally smaller in the AMD group.

Conclusions:

• Reading with positive lenses induces myopic defocus and choroidal thickening in presbyopes, more pronounced in those with AMD.
• Glasses incorporating Choroidal Control Technology effectively mitigate choroidal thickening during reading in presbyopes.
• This suggests a potential benefit of specialized lenses for managing ocular changes associated with presbyopia and AMD.