October 1, 2024
By Dwight Akerman, OD, MBA, FAAO, FBCLA, FIACLE
Photo Credit: Getty Images
The retrospective study conducted by Wen et al. (2024) aimed to investigate the potential benefit of combining orthokeratology lenses with 0.05% atropine ophthalmic solution on the efficacy of myopia control in fast progressors wearing OrthoK lenses. The researchers conducted a preliminary retrospective study to compare the average axial length (AL) elongation in participants using OrthoK lenses alone versus those using OrthoK lenses in combination with 0.05% atropine ophthalmic solution.
The study included 70 participants who were using OrthoK lenses alone or in combination with 0.05% atropine ophthalmic solution. During the observation period (phase 1), all participants exhibited an AL elongation that exceeded 0.15 mm over a six-month period or 0.3 mm over a 12-month period. Following this, the participants were divided into two groups: one group received nightly 0.05% atropine ophthalmic solution in addition to OrthoK lenses for another year (OKA), while the other group continued using OrthoK lenses alone (phase 2). The researchers then compared the changes in AL elongation over time and the differences in AL elongation between the two groups.
The results of the study indicated that the combination of 0.05% atropine ophthalmic solution had a significant effect on one-year AL elongation. The group receiving the combined treatment displayed significantly less AL elongation compared to the group using OrthoK lenses alone. Furthermore, within the group receiving the combined treatment, the AL elongation in the second half of the year was significantly less than in the first half, indicating a possible acceleration of the myopia control effect over time.
The findings suggest that the combination of OrthoK lenses and 0.05% atropine ophthalmic solution can significantly enhance the effectiveness of myopia control in fast progressors wearing OrthoK lenses. This is an important advancement in the field of myopia management, especially for individuals who experience rapid progression of myopia.
In conclusion, this preliminary retrospective study represents the first investigation into the effectiveness of combining OrthoK lenses with 0.05% atropine ophthalmic solution for controlling AL elongation in patients who had previously experienced poor control solely using OrthoK lenses. The results revealed that for such patients, the addition of 0.05% atropine ophthalmic solution significantly reduced AL elongation over the course of one year,
Abstract
Add-On Effect of Using 0.05% Atropine in Fast Progressors of Orthokeratology: A Preliminary Retrospective Study
Longbo Wen, Hong Liu, Qinglin Xu, Wei Pan, Zhenghua Lin, Zhigang Xiao, Zhikuan Yang, Weizhong Lan, Zhao Chen
Purpose: 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.
Methods: 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.
Results: The baseline and phase 1 demographics and characteristics of the participants were similar between the two groups (all p > 0.05). when considering a one-year timeframe, the OKA group displayed 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 less 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).
Conclusions: 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.
Wen, L., Liu, H., Xu, Q., Pan, W., Lin, Z., Xiao, Z., … & Chen, Z. (2024). Add-on effect of using 0.05% atropine in fast progressors of orthokeratology: A preliminary retrospective study. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, 102282.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2024.102282
