Global Study Examines Orthokeratology Lenses and Childhood Myopia Progression

A new international meta-analysis has found that orthokeratology lenses can significantly slow the progression of myopia in children, offering further evidence that the approach may play an important role in addressing the growing global myopia epidemic.

The systematic review and meta-analysis, published in International Ophthalmology, analyzed 15 clinical trials involving 1,065 participants aged 6-18 years and found that orthokeratology was associated with a meaningful reduction in axial eye growth compared with traditional vision correction methods such as single-vision spectacles or soft contact lenses.

According to the analysis, children using orthokeratology lenses experienced approximately 0.15 millimeters less axial elongation over the first year compared with those in control groups—a difference that persisted over longer follow-up periods. Five studies with at least 2 years of data showed an average reduction of about 0.19 millimeters in axial length growth.

While the results are encouraging, the authors note limitations including a predominance of East-Asian participants and variability in study design. They call for larger, multi-ethnic trials with long-term follow-up and standardized safety reporting to further define orthokeratology’s role in global myopia management.

Originally published online on Eyewire+.