Effects of wearing orthokeratology lens on ocular surface and meibomian gland in children and adolescents of different ages

Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effect of orthokeratology lens on ocular surface and meibomian gland in children and adolescents of different ages.METHODS: A total of 120 cases(240 eyes)of myopic children and adolescents treated in the optometry clinic of our hospital from December 2020 to February 2021 were retrospectively selected, and they were divided into the orthokeratology group(60 cases, 120 eyes)and the frame glasses group(60 cases, 120 eyes)according to the myopia correction methods. The changes in ocular surface and meibomian gland after wearing glasses were analyzed, and those changes in patients of different ages were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: Corneal curvature decreased, non-invasive tear film break-up time(NIBUT)shortened and meibomian gland score increased at 3, 6, 9 and 12mo in the orthokeratology group after wearing lens, while lower tear meniscus height increased at 6, 9 and 12mo compared with that before wearing lens. In the frame glasses group, the lower tear meniscus height was higher at 6 and 9mo than that before wearing glasses(both P<0.05). At the same time point, the corneal curvature of the orthokeratology group was significantly lower than that of the frame glasses group at all time points, the NIBUT at 3, 9 and 12mo after wearing the lens was shorter than that of the frame glasses group and the meibomian gland scores were higher at 6, 9 and 12mo than those at the same time point in the glasses group(all P<0.05). After wearing lens for 12mo, the corneal curvature of the orthokeratology group at all ages was significantly lower than that of the frame glasses group, the NIBUT of the orthokeratology group at 8 to 12 years old and 13 to 15 years old was significantly lower than that of the frame glasses group, and the meibomian gland score was significantly higher than that of the frame glasses group(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Orthokeratology lens may affect the ocular surface and meibomian glands function, and the effects on ocular surface are more pronounced in children and adolescents under 12 years old. Therefore, younger children and adolescents could be prioritized for myopia correction with framed glasses, and then wearing orthokeratology lens when they get older.

Keywords

• age
• children
• adolescents
• orthokeratology lens
• ocular surface
• meibomian glands