Changes of corneal biomechanics in children using orthokeratology and their roles in predicting axial length progression—A prospective 2-year study

Purpose

To determine how orthokeratology (ortho-k) affects corneal biomechanical properties in myopia control and whether corneal biomechanical parameters can predict clinical efficacy of ortho-k.

Methods

A total of 125 children 7–15 years of age using ortho-k lenses were followed in this clinical practice and data of their right eyes were analysed. Corneal biomechanical parameters and most ocular biometry were measured at baseline, 1 week, and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Axial length (AL) was collected every 6 months after baseline measurements.

Results

During the 2-year follow up, nine corneal biomechanical parameters, including deformation amplitude maximum (DA), varied between baseline and 1 week (p < 0.05) and stabilized during the rest of wearing period (p > 0.05). The mean AL increased from 25.02 ± 0.84 mm to 25.38 ± 0.81 mm and baseline DA strongly correlated with AL progression (Pearson r = 0.37). In the multiple regression models, baseline age, AL and DA were the independent factors for AL progression (R²: 0.7849, 0.2180 in low and moderate myopes). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves using the three variables for predicting excessive AL progression (>0.35 mm during 2 years) in low and moderate myopes was 0.902 and 0.698.

Conclusions

Corneal biomechanics firstly fluctuated before becoming stable with long-term ortho-k use. Corneal biomechanics was associated with AL progression in children wearing ortho-k lenses. DA combined with age and AL at baseline could predict AL progression in low myopes using ortho-k.