Factors related to axial length elongation and myopia progression in orthokeratology practice

PURPOSE: To investigate which baseline factors are predictive for axial length growth over an average period of 2.5 years in a group of children wearing orthokeratology (OK) contact lenses. METHODS: In this retrospective study, the clinical records of 249 new OK wearers between January 2012 and December 2013 from the contact lens clinic at the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University were reviewed. The primary outcome measure was axial length change from baseline to the time of review (July-August 2015). Independent variables included baseline measures of age at initiation of OK wear, gender, refractive error (spherical equivalent), astigmatism, average keratometry, corneal toricity, central corneal thickness, white-to-white corneal diameter, pupil size, corneal topography eccentricity value (e-value), intraocular pressure (IOP) and total time in follow-up (months total). The contributions of all independent variables on axial length change at the time of review were assessed using univariate and multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS: Univariate analyses of the right eyes of 249 OK patients showed that smaller increases in axial length were associated with older age at the onset of OK lens wear, greater baseline spherical equivalent myopic refractive error, less time in follow-up and a smaller e-value. Multivariable analyses of the significant right eye variables showed that the factors associated with smaller axial length growth were older age at the onset of OK lens wear (p<0.0001), greater baseline spherical equivalent myopic refractive error (p = 0.0046) and less time in follow-up (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The baseline factors demonstrating the greatest correlation with reduced axial length elongation during OK lens wear in myopic children included greater baseline spherical equivalent myopic refractive error and older age at the onset of OK lens wear.