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August 15, 2024
By Dwight Akerman, OD, MBA, FAAO, FBCLA, FIACLE
Photo Credit: Getty Images
The study conducted by Huang, Li, Lim, Drobe, Chen, and Bao (2024) sought to investigate the impact of wearing spectacle lenses with highly aspherical lenslets (HAL) on the peripheral eye length (PEL) changes in Chinese myopic children. The research was carried out over a period of three years and involved 40 children aged 8 to 13 years with myopia ranging from -0.75D to -4.75D. During the study, the children were initially fitted with single-vision spectacle lenses (SVL) for two years, after which they were switched to HAL spectacle lenses for one year. The axial length (AL) and PEL at 15° and 30° in the nasal (N) and temporal (T) retina were measured every six months over the three-year duration.
The results of the study revealed significant findings. Over the initial two-year period of wearing SVL, the myopic children experienced a notable increase in AL and all PELs, with AL showcasing the most elongation and exhibiting a slower rate of growth towards the periphery. However, upon transitioning to wearing HAL spectacle lenses for one year, the elongation of AL was reduced by 63%, from 0.34mm/year to 0.13mm/year. Furthermore, the PEL at various positions also exhibited reduced elongation rates, with PEL-N15 and PEL-T15 decreasing by 49% and 71%, respectively, and PEL-N30 and PEL-T30 decreasing by 31% and 53%, respectively. Notably, in the third year, there were no significant differences between the changes in AL and PELs at different positions.
The researchers concluded that the use of HAL spectacle lenses effectively slowed down the central and peripheral eye elongation, with greater effectiveness observed in the central and paramacular regions. Furthermore, while wearing HAL spectacle lenses, the eye length at different eccentricities displayed similar elongation rates, thus preventing the eyeball from developing into a more oval shape.
This study sheds light on the potential role of highly aspherical lenslets in mitigating the progression of axial elongation in children. By demonstrating the effectiveness of HAL spectacle lenses in reducing not only central but also peripheral eye elongation, the research highlights the significance of considering peripheral eye changes in myopia management strategies. The study’s findings provide valuable insights for eye care professionals and researchers working towards developing interventions to address the increasing prevalence of myopia, especially in younger populations.
In conclusion, the research by Huang et al. underscores the importance of exploring innovative approaches, such as the implementation of highly aspherical lenslets, for managing myopia in children. The study’s findings offer promising implications for the development of spectacle lenses designed to effectively mitigate the progression of myopia by addressing both central and peripheral eye changes.
Abstract
Peripheral Eye Length Change in Myopic Children Before and After Wearing Spectacle Lenses with Highly Aspherical Lenslets
Yingying Huang; Xue Li; Ee Woon Lim; Bjorn Drobe; Hao Chen; Jinhua Bao
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of spectacle lenses with highly aspherical lenslets (HAL) on the peripheral eye length (PEL) changes in Chinese myopic children.
Methods: Forty children aged 8 to 13 years with myopia between -0.75 D and -4.75 D were recruited to wear single-vision spectacle lenses (SVL) for two years and changed to wear HAL for one year. Axial length (AL) and PEL at 15° and 30° in the nasal (N) and temporal (T) retina were measured every six months for three years.
Results: Over 2 years, wearing SVL resulted in significant increase of AL and all PELs (all p<0.001), with AL exhibiting the most elongation and increasing more slowly towards the periphery. After switching to wearing HAL for one year, AL elongation was reduced by 63% (from 0.34mm/year to 0.13mm/year), PEL-N15 and PEL-T15 elongation was reduced by 49% and 71% (PEL-N15, from 0.29mm/year to 0.15mm/year; PEL-T15, from 0.33mm/year to 0.09mm/year), PEL-N30 and PEL-T30 elongation was reduced by 31% and 53% (PEL-N30, from 0.21mm/year to 0.15mm/year; PEL-T30, from 0.26mm/year to 0.12mm/year). There was no difference between changes in AL and PELs at different positions in the third year (p=0.62).
Conclusions: HAL has been shown to be effective in slowing down both central and peripheral eye elongation, with greater effectiveness in the central and paramacular regions. Eye length at different eccentricities showed similar elongation rates while wearing HAL, thereby preventing the eyeball from growing towards a more oval shape.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, which was held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.
Huang, Y., Li, X., Lim, E. W., Drobe, B., Chen, H., & Bao, J. (2024). Peripheral eye length change in myopic children before and after wearing spectacle lenses with highly aspherical lenslets. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 65(7), 2727-2727.
