Posters

Refractive errors by orthokeratology

Poster Details

First Author: S.Giugno ITALY

Co Author(s):                        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia are common refractive errors that can be corrected in several ways: glasses, daytime contact lenses, refractive surgery. Orthokeratology is one additional, little known, way to manage refractive errors. This technique reshapes the corneal surface by inverse geometry rigid gas permeable contact lenses fitted during nighttime. Orthokeratology offers several advantages: not only avoids using glasses during daytime but moreover it slows down myopia progression especially in teenagers. This course explains the technique of corneal remodeling, patients selection, safety and efficacy of orthokeratology, and describes how morphological changes involving only the corneal epithelium induce topographical and aberrometric variations.

Setting:

Studio Oculistico Dr. Salvatore Giugno, Niscemi

Methods:

I enrolled 60 young patients aged between 6 and 22; all patients had a myopia ranged between -1 to -6 diopters. In 30 patients myopia was treated by spectacles correction, 30 patients were treated with the use of Esa Ortho-6 lenses at night. I evaluated pre-treatment anterior segment tomography (CSO- Sirius), UCVA, BCVA, spherical equivalent, axial length (Zeiss IOL Master), over refraction with orthokeratology lenses fitted; I evaluated anterior segment tomography (CSO- Sirius), UCVA, BCVA, axial length (Zeiss IOL Master), over refraction with lenses fitted at one week, one month, 3, 63, 12, 24 months of orthokeratology therapy.

Results:

I assessed that orthokeratology treatment decreases the rate of myopia progression in terms of reduction in axial length increase compared to the correction of glasses in young patients. The obtained p value is <0.001. Orthokeratology treatment for myopia correction is associated with a remodeling of the cornea that changes from a prolate form to an oblate one and a certain number of high order aberrations are induced: coma as aberration, spherical aberration, second order aberration.

Conclusions:

Orthokeratology is effective in reducing the rate of myopia progression: this is in agreement with reference literature. Although there is small risk of vision-threating complications (corneal keratitis), orthokeratology may be offered to young patients with moderate to high myopia.

Financial Disclosure:

None