Abstract
Purpose :
Uncorrected astigmatism impairs visual performance, but the majority commercially available orthokeratology (ortho-k) lens design cannot correct high astigmatism. We aimed to develop an ortho-k lens design with a novel toric base curve. This prospective pilot study investigated its efficacy and safety for refractive correction in high astigmats.
Methods :
Young adults (aged 18-40 years) with myopia (-6.00—-0.50D) and high astigmatism (>1.50D), eligible for ortho-k lens wear, were recruited and monitored for one month. Subjective refraction, unaided visual acuity, corneal topography, and external ocular health were evaluated (at baseline, first overnight, one week, two weeks, and one month). The results presented were from the eye with higher astigmatism, or the right eye if both have equal astigmatism levels.
Results :
Seventeen young adults (mean age: 22.1±3.2 years; 6 males) completed the one-month study. The myopia decreased from -3.09±1.25D to 0.12±0.69D and the astigmatism decreased from -2.12±0.44D to -0.78±0.40D (both p<0.01). The mean spherical equivalent refraction at the one-month visit was -0.27±0.67D. More than 80% of the subjects were corrected to ≤1.00D astigmatism. The unaided visual acuity improved from 0.96±0.27 logMAR to 0.10±0.20 logMAR (p<0.01). There were no significant adverse events observed during the study period.
Conclusions :
The new lens design showed promising clinical performance in young adults with high level of astigmatism. Further research is warranted to confirm its efficacy of refractive error control in children and elderly.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.