Evidence supports use of 'retainer' contact lenses for nearsightedness in children

If this is true, it is great news, esp. if it can be supplied to all children who need it.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-02/wkh-esu022415.php

Public Release: 24-Feb-2015
Wolters Kluwer Health

A technique called orthokeratology ("Ortho-K")--using custom-made contact lenses to shape the growing eye--has a significant effect in slowing the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children, according to a research review in the March issue of Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry. The journal is published by Wolters Kluwer.

Led by Xing-Rong Wang, MD, of the Affiliated Eye Hospital of Shangdong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Jinan, China, the researchers analyzed pooled data from previous studies of Ortho-K. "They conclude, with even greater confidence, that orthokeratology does certainly slow myopia progression and retard the axial length growth of the eye," comments Anthony Adams, OD, PhD, Editor-in-Chief of Optometry and Vision Science.

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As expected, with or without orthokeratology, axial length increased as the children grew. However, after two years, the increase in axial length was significantly slower in children treated with Ortho-K. The average (weighted mean) difference between groups was about one-fourth of a millimeter.

That small but significant change was consistent with the reported effects of Ortho-K in slowing myopia progression. An alternative measure of eye growth (vitreous chamber depth) showed a similar difference between groups.

For reasons that are not yet entirely clear, childhood myopia has increased to epidemic proportions in recent years, especially in Asia. Myopia persists into adulthood and, in the more severe cases, is a risk factor for eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachments. [and macular degeneration]

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"Most critically for myopia progression is the impact in retarding the growth of the eye, not just reshaping the cornea" says Dr Adams.

That's an important piece of information, because questions remain as to the mechanism by which Ortho-K works to control myopic eye growth. Dr Wang and coauthors emphasize the need for additional studies to address this issue, as well as large-scale randomized trials to assess its long-term benefits.

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