Follow-up Study on the Effect of Long-Term Wearing Orthokeratology Lens on Tear Film Stability in Adolescents

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jmhs.202605220

Author(s)

Min Xiao

Affiliation(s)

College of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Loudi Vocational and Technical College, Hunan, China

Abstract

This study aims to explore the dynamic effect of long-term wearing orthokeratology lens (OK lens) on tear film stability and ocular surface related indicators in adolescent myopia patients. This was a prospective cohort study. We selected 120 cases of adolescent myopia patients (120 eyes, taking right eye data) who visited the ophthalmology department of a top-class hospital from January 2023 to January 2024. We used the randomized block design method. The patients were divided into the orthokeratology group (60 cases) and the frame glasses control group (60 cases). Both groups of patients completed a 12-month follow-up. Before wearing (baseline), 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after wearing, we respectively measured the non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT), Schirmer I test (SIT), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire score of the subjects in the two groups. We used repeated measures ANOVA and independent sample t-test for data statistics. The results showed that at the baseline level, the differences in all indicators between the two groups had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). At 1 month and 3 months after wearing the lenses in the orthokeratology group, the NIBUT was significantly shorter than before wearing (P < 0.05), and the OSDI score and CFS score were significantly higher than before wearing (P < 0.05). At 6 months and 12 months after wearing the lenses, the NIBUT and OSDI score gradually recovered, and compared with the baseline, the differences had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). The SIT temporarily increased at 1 month of wearing the lenses, and then recovered to the baseline level. The indicators in the control group had no obvious fluctuation during the follow-up period. In conclusion, long-term wearing of orthokeratology lens will cause a temporary decrease in tear film stability and slight changes in the ocular surface microenvironment in adolescents during the initial wearing period (1 to 3 months). But with the extension of wearing time (after 6 months), the tear film function and subjective symptoms can gradually compensate and tend to be stable. We should strengthen the monitoring of the ocular surface during the initial wearing period in clinical fitting.

Keywords

Orthokeratology lens; Adolescent; Myopia; Tear Film stability; Follow-up Study

References

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