The Efficacy of Orthokeratology in Controlling Myopia Progression in Primary School Children in Kuala Lumpur

INTRODUCTION: Myopia is a global public health issue. Advanced myopia can lead to potentially serious ocular pathologies such as glaucoma and maculopathy, thus controlling progression of myopia is essential. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) has been shown to be effective in controlling the progression of myopia in children. However, limited data is available on this from the East Asian populations. This study investigated the efficacy of Ortho-K in controlling the progression of myopia in children in Kuala Lumpur. The results were compared with those for single vision spectacles (SVS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children aged 8-9 years, with myopia of -0.50 to -4.00D and astigmatism of ≤1.00D, were invited to participate. Cycloplegic refraction at the central and peripheral retina, visual acuity (VA), corneal topography, and axial length (AL) measurements were taken at baseline (BL) and every 6 months over a 1-year period. RESULTS: In all, 70 children (35 males and 35 females), with a mean age of 8.31±0.47 years, participated. Forty-five children were fitted with Ortho-K lenses and 25 with SVS. Significant changes in the refraction, corneal curvature, and AL were found over the study period and between the groups (p<0.05). Significant myopic shifts in the relative peripheral refraction (RPR) (p<0.01) were noted in the Ortho-K wearers, while hyperopic shifts (p<0.01) were found in the SVS group. Myopia progression and AL elongation were slowed by around 50% and 44%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Wearing the Ortho-K lenses for 12M is effective in controlling myopia progression children and can be recommended when managing myopic children.