Myopia of Prematurity: Reduced Progression Using Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target (HALT) Technology

Objectives: Myopia of prematurity (MOP) is a refractive error occurring in individuals born prematurely and is considered a distinct entity from pathologic and school-age myopia. Children affected by MOP are at risk of developing high myopia, with an increased lifelong cumulative risk of related complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the progression of MOP in children previously affected by retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) who wore spectacles with Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target (HALT) technology compared to conventional single-vision lenses during childhood. Methods: Enrolled subjects were divided into two groups: subjects who used HALT lenses for at least 12 months and children who used standard single-vision lenses for the same period. The temporal evolution of spherical equivalent (SE) and axial length (AL) was evaluated in both groups. Results: Of the 252 preterm children screened, 58 were included in the study: 38 subjects (66%) in the standard lenses group and 20 subjects (34%) in the HALT lenses group. At 12 months SE progression and AL elongation in the HALT group (-0.32 ± 0.20 D and 0.12 ± 0.05 mm) were lower compared to the standard group (-0.93 ± 0.34 D and 0.46 ± 0.09 mm, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The progression of MOP appears to be reduced in subjects corrected with HALT lenses compared to those wearing conventional lenses. These results suggest further investigation of HALT technology in selected subgroups of patients at high-risk of severe myopia to reduce its progression and the related lifelong cumulative risk of visual impairment.