Clinical Efficacy in Pediatric Myopia Control
Orthokeratology has emerged as a frontline treatment for slowing the progression of myopia in children.
Numerous longitudinal studies, such as the ROMIO (Retardation of Myopia in Orthokeratology) and LORIC (Longitudinal Orthokeratology Research in Children) studies, have demonstrated that Ortho-K can slow the elongation of the eye by approximately 40% to 60% compared to traditional glasses.
The primary driver of this control is believed to be Peripheral Myopic Defocus. In a myopic eye corrected with standard glasses, light in the periphery of the visual field often focuses behind the retina (peripheral hyperopic defocus), which acts as a signal for the eye to grow longer. Ortho-K reshapes the cornea such that peripheral light focuses in front of the retina (peripheral myopic defocus). This change in peripheral optics acts as a "stop" signal, inhibiting the axial growth of the eyeball and thus preventing the myopia from worsening.