Myopia control in children through refractive therapy gas permeable contact lenses: is it for real?

PURPOSE To compare the safety and efficacy of orthokeratology as a nonsurgical treatment for myopia in children with alternate methods, such as soft contact lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, and spectacles, throughout multiple studies. DESIGN Perspective with literature review. METHODS Analysis of recent studies to determine the safety and effectiveness of orthokeratology versus soft contact lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, and spectacles in children. RESULTS In all of the studies reviewed, the use of orthokeratology lenses proved to reduce myopia, to improve visual acuity, and, with the exception of the SMART study, to reduce the rate of axial elongation. Orthokeratology has been shown to be as effective as other methods in treating myopia and to be more effective at treating axial elongation. There were no major adverse events in any of the studies comparing orthokeratology with other methods of myopia treatment. CONCLUSIONS Studies show that the use of orthokeratology is a safe and efficacious nonsurgical treatment for myopia and that it is capable of slowing axial elongation, making it an effective myopic treatment for children.