Short-term effects of overnight orthokeratology on corneal cell morphology and corneal thickness. Cornea. 2011;30:646-654. [PMID: 21282996 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0b013e31820009bc]

Effect of congenital ptosis on corneal topography and total aberrometry and comparison of these variables between ptotic and normal fellow eyes

PURPOSE

To analyze the effect of congenital ptosis on corneal topography and total aberrometry and to compare these variables between ptotic and normal fellow eyes.

METHODS

The study included 32 eyes of 16 patients with unilateral congenital blepharoptosis. A Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor was employed to assess Zernike coefficients and root-mean-square. Computerized corneal topography, Orbscan and aberrometry were measured in the healthy and ptotic eyes. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. P<0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 21.31±6.3 years. The mean margin to light reflex distance-1 (MRD-1) was 0.6±1.44mm in the ptotic eyes. Among topography variables, surface regularity index (SRI), cylinder power, irregular astigmatism index (IAI), and flat meridian keratometry were significantly different between ptotic and non-ptotic fellow eyes (P<0.05). Some Orbscan parameters, including simulated keratometry, maximum and minimum corneal power, and astigmatism power were significantly different between ptotic and normal fellow eyes (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in total aberrometry variables between paired eyes. However, in a comparison between ptotic eyes with over 1 diopter astigmatism vs. less than 1 D, high-order Zernike modes without spherical aberration at 6mm (HOW/O Z400 6mm) were significantly different between the 2 groups (P=0.02).

CONCLUSION

Unilateral congenital ptosis significantly affects corneal topography and aberrometry, especially in eyes with astigmatism≥1 D. Such differences need to be considered before keratorefractive surgery (KRS).

In vivo assessment of human corneal epithelial cells in orthokeratology lens wearers: A pilot study

SIGNIFICANCE

Central corneal epithelial thinning associated with midperipheral epithelial thickening has been reported as the main factor contributing to the effectiveness of orthokeratology (ortho-k) in myopia control. Yet, the cellular mechanism governing the regional change in refractive power remains elusive.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the regional change in corneal epithelial thickness and cell density in ortho-k wearers.

METHODS

A new human prototype of a polarization-dependent optical coherence microscope was developed to enable noncontact and noninvasive in vivo imaging of corneal epithelial cells in ortho-k wearers with and without their ortho-k lens. The epithelial thickness and cell density were evaluated at the central and midperipheral corneal locations in four ortho-k wearers and four spectacle wearers serving as controls.

RESULTS

Polarization-dependent optical coherence microscope achieved in vivo volumetric imaging of all epithelial cell types in ortho-k wearers with and without their lens over a field of view of 0.5 × 0.5 mm 2 with an isotropic resolution of ~2.2 mm. The central epithelial thinning and midperipheral epithelial thickening were consistent across all ortho-k wearers. However, the inconsistency in their regional epithelial cell density highlighted a great variability in individual response to ortho-k treatment. There was no strong correlation between epithelial thickness and cell density, especially at the midperipheral cornea, in ortho-k participants.

CONCLUSIONS

This study constitutes our first step toward uncovering the cellular mechanism underlying the effectiveness of ortho-k in myopia control. Future studies will focus on the longitudinal evaluation of epithelial cells before and during ortho-k treatment to identify factors governing individual response to ortho-k treatment and ultimately inform the dynamics of epithelial cells taking place during the ortho-k treatment.

Short-term Changes in Epithelial and Optical Redistribution Induced by Different Orthokeratology Designs

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate corneal epithelial and topographic changes caused by two commercial myopia orthokeratology (ortho-k) designs.

METHODS

Twenty-six subjects fitted with vision shape treatment (VST) lenses and 30 subjects fitted with corneal reshaping therapy (CRT) lenses were reviewed 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after lens initiation. A spectral-domain optical coherence tomography system was used to create epithelial maps that were in turn used to determine the average epithelial thickness of each zone and the diameter of treatment zone. By measuring the topographic tangential differential map, the treatment zone diameter and the power and width of the high convex zone (HCZ) were obtained. All epithelial thicknesses and topographic corneal variations recorded were analyzed.

RESULTS

At the central zone, the epithelial thickness changes (△ET) decreased significantly after 1 day of ortho-k in two groups. At 2- to 9-mm peripheral zone, ortho-k increased △ET until 1 week in the VST group, whereas it kept increasing in the CRT group after 1 week. At 1 month, the central △ET is -9.51±2.38 mm in the VST group, which was comparable to -8.72±3.43 mm in the CRT group. The nasal HCZ power and the △ET of nasal and inferior nasal were significantly larger in the CRT group. A positive correlation was found between the HCZ power and △ET generated by VST-type lenses inferiorly and temporally. For the CRT group, a positive correlation was found between inferior HCZ power and △ET.

CONCLUSIONS

At the early stage of ortho-k, epithelial thickness and topography change quickly and simultaneously. Epithelial changes were in line with corneal topography reshaping. Epithelial and optical remodelling were affected by different lens types.

Clinical tool to measure fluorescein patterns in orthokeratology

Background

Orthokeratology (ortho-k) is an overnight clinical contact lens wear technique to correct myopia and to reduce myopia progression wearing reverse-geometry rigid gas-permeable lenses. The lens fitting procedure in clinical practice usually requires subjective assessment of fluorescein pattern (fluorescein "bull's eye" pattern). The aim of this study was to develop a novel tool for fluorescein pattern measurements to reduce subjective practitioner dependency, especially in inexperienced practitioners, in ortho-k practice.

Methods

A new MATLAB customized algorithm to measure the horizontal width of the four main zones of ortho-k fluorescein patterns (central bearing, tear reservoir, mid-peripheral bearing and edge lift) was designed. The algorithm was tested on a small image database consisting of 26 ortho-k fluorescein pattern images of 13 volunteers fitted with reverse geometry lenses (Seefree, Conoptica-Hecht Contactlinsen). The agreement between two independent observers and the ImageJ measurements was determined.

Results

The new clinical tool provided similar measurements to ImageJ software for the central bearing (4.20 ± 0.74 and 4.27 ± 0.69 mm; P = 0.21), tear reservoir (1.69 ± 0.41 and 1.69 ± 0.45 mm; P = 0.69), mid-peripheral bearing (1.17 ± 0.11 and 1.13 ± 0.10 mm; P < 0.01) and edge lift (0.48 ± 0.06 and 0.48 ± 0.06 mm; P = 0.81) zones. Good agreement between the software (limits of agreement lower than ±0.55 mm) and inter-observer measurements (limits of agreement lower than ±0.66 mm) was found.

Conclusions

The proposed clinical tool for semiautomatic fluorescein pattern measurements in ortho-k could help to reduce practitioner dependency in fluorescein pattern assessment with future potential to introduce prediction algorithms or artificial intelligence methods in myopia control management.

Post-Ortho-K Corneal Epithelium Changes in Myopic Eyes

The study is aimed at evaluating corneal epithelial thickness changes associated with overnight orthokeratology (ortho-K). In this retrospective study, epithelial thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT) before and after 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months ortho-K nightly lens wear. Compared with pre-orthokeratology measurements, central (2 mm) corneal epithelium thickness was significantly reduced at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months with ortho-K (P < 0.05). Paracentral (2 mm~5 mm annular ring) epithelial thickness was also significantly reduced at superior temporal, inferior temporal, temporal, and inferior locations after ortho-K (P < 0.05), while midperipheral (5 mm~6 mm annular ring) epithelial thickness was greater post- than pre-ortho-K at superior, superior temporal, inferior temporal, inferior, and inferior nasal locations (P < 0.05). In other zones, superior, superior nasal, nasal, and inferior nasal in paracentral annular ring and temporal and superior nasal in midperipheral ring, epithelial thickness underwent no significant change. Ortho-K lens wear caused the central corneal epitheliums to thin. The temporal half zones become thinner in paracentral zones and thicker in midperipheral zones.

Changes in corneal densitometry after long-term orthokeratology for myopia and short-term discontinuation

Purpose

To quantify changes in corneal densitometry after long-term orthokeratology treatment in myopic children and to analyze the reversibility one month after discontinuation.

Methods

Seventy-four myopic subjects aged 8–16 years, who wore orthokeratology lenses for two years, were divided into relatively steep- (lens movement within 1.0–1.5 mm, thirty-six participants) and flat-fitting groups (lens movement within 1.5–2.0 mm, thirty-eight participants). Based on refractive errors, they were divided into low and moderate myopia groups (thirty-seven participants in each group). Corneal densitometry was performed using Pentacam (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) at each follow-up timepoint. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare the parameters before and after orthokeratology.

Results

The corneal densitometry values over the 0–10 mm diameter area increased from 12.84±1.38 grayscale units (GSU) at baseline to 13.59±1.42 GSU after three-month orthokeratology (P = .001) and reached 14.92±1.45 GSU at two years (P < .001). An increase in densitometry began at one month (P = .001) over the 0–2 mm annulus compared with that at three months over the 2–6 mm and 6–10 mm zones (P = .002,.014). The densitometry values significantly increased at three months in the relatively steep-fitting group (P = .003) and at one year in the relatively flat-fitting group (P = .001). After discontinuation of orthokeratology for one month, the values showed no significant decrease.

Conclusions

Long-term orthokeratology treatment causes a small but statistically significant increase in corneal densitometry values. During the first year, the onset of these changes was related to the fitting mode. Corneal densitometry values showed no significant reduction after one-month discontinuation.

Integrating Clinical Data and Tear Proteomics to Assess Efficacy, Ocular Surface Status, and Biomarker Response After Orthokeratology Lens Wear

Purpose

This study evaluated the efficacy and ocular surface status of Breath-O Correct, novel orthokeratology (OK) lenses, worn overnight for 3 months. Lens-induced changes in the tear proteome were evaluated.

Methods

Thirty-one subjects, aged 19 to 26 years with refractive error from -1.00 to -5.00 D, were randomly assigned 1:1 to the treatment or control group. Refraction, visual acuity, corneal integrity, biomechanics and endothelial health, ocular surface changes, and subjective symptoms were assessed at the baseline, one-month, and three-month visits. The tear proteome was characterized over time using sequential window acquisition of all theoretical ion spectra mass spectrometry.

Results

Lenses improved uncorrected visual acuity and reduced spherical powers with similar efficacy to other OK lenses. Significant reductions (P < 0.05) in corneal hysteresis (11.12 ± 1.12 to 10.38 ± 1.36 mm Hg) and corneal resistance factor (11.06 ± 1.32 to 9.90 ± 1.45 mm Hg) were observed in the treatment group after one month of lens wear, whereas other assessed factors remained unchanged. Thirteen and eight differentially expressed proteins were found after one month and three months of lens wear, respectively. Two proteins (proline-rich protein 27 and immunoglobulin V regions) were differentially expressed at both visits.

Conclusions

Over a three-month period, Breath-O Correct lenses were overall safe, well tolerated, efficacious in refractive power reduction, and comparable with other OK lenses. Furthermore, their use caused only minor noninflammatory protein expression changes in the tear proteome.

Translational Relevance

This study investigated the safety of orthokeratology contact lenses on the ocular surface in molecular aspects and standard clinical parameters.

Corneal thickness changes in myopic children during and after short-term orthokeratology lens wear

PURPOSE

To evaluate thickness changes in the central and mid-peripheral cornea (CCT and mPCT), corneal epithelium (CET and mPET) and stroma (CST and mPST) of myopic children during and after short-term orthokeratology (ortho-k) lens wear, with conventional (CCF, 0.75 D) and increased compression factors (ICF, 1.75 D).

METHODS

This was a self-controlled case series study. Subjects wore a CCF lens in one eye and an ICF lens in the other. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography images were captured weekly for 1 month during lens wear and for 2 weeks after discontinuing lens wear. CCT and CET (central 3-mm cornea) and mPCT and mPET (within a 4-6 mm diameter annulus) were measured. Stromal thickness (ST) was determined by subtracting epithelium thickness (ET) from corneal thickness (CT). The repeatability of the analytical software was also investigated on age-matched spectacle-wearing subjects (n = 98).

RESULTS

Excluding three outliers (>3 S.D.s), the coefficient of repeatability and intraclass correlation coefficients of 98 spectacle-wearing subjects ranged from 2.63 to 4.64 μm and from 0.90 to 0.99, respectively. For the weekly-change study, CCT and CET in both eyes were significantly thinner after lens wear (p < 0.001) and CET thinning in the ICF eyes were significantly higher (p < 0.02). CCT changes were mainly contributed by CET. CST, mPCT, mPET and mPST changes were not significant (p > 0.20) in either eye. CT (all sublayers) rebounded to baseline values 2 weeks after discontinuing lens wear (0.99 > p > 0.12).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant reductions in CT and ET, but not ST, were observed within 1 month of ortho-k lens wear. Wearing ICF lenses resulted in a higher reduction in CET. Corneal thickness changes were reversible after discontinuing lens wear.

Redistribution of the corneal epithelium after overnight wear of orthokeratology contact lenses for myopia reduction

BACKGROUND

To investigate changes in the corneal thickness profile in juvenile myopia after overnight wear of orthokeratology lenses (OK).

METHODS

A total of 53 juveniles (53 right eyes) successfully wore OK between January 2016 and July 2017 and they were reviewed one day, one week and one month after first wearing it. Epithelial and corneal data were obtained by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Changes in uncorrected visual acuity, refractive error, corneal refractive power, and epithelial and corneal thickness were analyzed before and after wear of OK.

RESULTS

The corneal epithelium was reshaped after 1 day of OK; the myopia degree was reduced, and uncorrected visual acuity reached 0 logMAR at 1 week. The central (2 mm) average epithelial thickness was 52.04 ± 2.35 μm, 49.25 ± 2.67 μm, 45.91 ± 2.80 μm, and 47.53 ± 3.44 μm before and after 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month of OK, respectively (t = 4.497, 9.741, and 7.340, respectively, P<0.001). The central epithelium was thinnest at 1 week, when the average thinning of 6.13 ± 1.67 μm accounted for approximately 11.78 % ± 3.21 % of the total epithelium thickness at baseline. The epithelial thickness of the reverse curve zone was 51.83 ± 2.49 μm, 57.62 ± 3.01 μm, 59.43 ± 3.19 μm, and 60.22 ± 2.75 μm before and after 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month of OK, respectively, showing a significant increase over time (t=-4.752, -6.208, and -6.848, respectively, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In the early stage of OK, the corneal epithelium was redistributed very quickly. The central epithelium became thin, while the epithelium of the reverse curve zone correspondingly thickened. Effectively reduced the refractive power of the cornea equivalent to the effect of adding a concave spectacle lens, which ensures uncorrected vision after removal of the lenses.

Accommodation response and spherical aberration during orthokeratology

PURPOSE

To evaluate the changes in the accommodative response and in the corneal and internal spherical aberration during 3 months of wear of orthokeratology lenses from the baseline.

METHODS

Fifty children aged 8 to 17 were recruited for a prospective study and were fitted with orthokeratology lenses. Refraction without cycloplegia, high and low uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), accommodation lag, horizontal near phoria without correction, corneal topography, corneal, and total wavefront aberration were performed at baseline, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Data were analyzed by Student's t test for related samples, repeated measures ANOVA test, and Pearson correlation test.

RESULTS

The spherical equivalent (SE) before and after 3 months was - 3.33 ± 1.60 D and - 0.30 ± 0.46 D, respectively. Accommodation lag was 0.53 ± 0.38 D and 0.20 ± 0.33 D at baseline and at 3 months, respectively. A moderate correlation between lag at the baseline and its change between baseline and the 3-month visit was found (P < 0.05; R = 0.748). The spherical aberration (SA) increased for anterior corneal and total measurement, being statistically significant for all visits (P < 0.05). The internal SA decreased: - 0.105 ± 0.006 at baseline and - 0.196 ± 0.203 at 1 week (P < 0.05). No difference between baseline and the follow-up visits in posterior corneal SA was found (P > 0.05) CONCLUSION: The negative SA of the lens increases during OK treatment compensated for the increase of the anterior corneal surface positive SA, in addition to increasing the accommodative response.

Weekly Changes in Axial Length and Choroidal Thickness in Children During and Following Orthokeratology Treatment With Different Compression Factors

Purpose

To determine the influence of compression factor upon changes in axial length and choroidal thickness during and following orthokeratology treatment.

Methods

Orthokeratology lenses of different compression factors (one eye with 0.75 D and the fellow eye with 1.75 D) were randomly assigned to 28 subjects (median [range] age: 9.3 [7.8–11.0] years). Ocular biometrics were measured weekly for 1 month of lens wear and after lens cessation until the refraction stabilized (mean duration: 2.8 ± 0.4 weeks). Changes between eyes, and the associations between axial shortening and choroidal thickening with other ocular biometrics were analyzed.

Results

There were no significant between-eye differences in the changes of ocular biometrics (all P > 0.05). After adjusting for paired-eye data, axial length initially decreased by 26 ± 41 μm (P = 0.03) at week 1, then gradually returned to its original length. An approximate antiphase relationship of choroidal thickness (mean change: 9 ± 12 μm, P < 0.001) with axial length was observed. A significant rebound in axial length, but not choroidal thickness, occurred during the cessation period. Central corneal thinning and choroidal thickening accounted for 70% of initial axial shortening.

Conclusions

Increasing the compression factor by 1.00 D did not affect changes in ocular biometrics in short-term orthokeratology. Significant axial shortening and choroidal thickening were observed during early treatment period. Axial shortening could not be entirely explained by central corneal thinning and choroidal thickening, which warrants further investigation.

Translational Relevance

Initial axial shortening in orthokeratology is transient and therefore axial length remains useful for long-term monitoring of axial elongation in children.

Current State and Future Trends: A Citation Network Analysis of the Orthokeratology Field

Introduction

Citation network analysis is a powerful tool that allows for a visual and objective representation of the past, present, and potential future directions of a research field. The objective of this study is using citation analysis network to analyse the evolution of knowledge in the field of orthokeratology.

Materials and Methods

The database used in this citation networks analysis study was Scopus. The descriptor used was “orthokeratology” limited to three fields: title, keywords, and/or abstract, analysing the five most cited authors. Only articles cited at least twenty times were used. The computer software used was UCINET with two types of analysis, qualitative and quantitative.

Results

27 nodes have been included according to the search and inclusion criteria. In qualitative analysis, based on illustrate results, the relationships among nodes and their positions and connections show how the study of Cho et al. in 2005 is clearly positioned as a central cutoff point in the network. Quantitative analysis reveals the normalized value of the sample and shows how the study of Cho et al. in 2005 presents the highest percentage of input connections.

Conclusions

This study shows the state of the flow of information in the orthokeratology field by providing links in bibliographic citations from a qualitative and quantitative point of view.

The Topographical Effect of Optical Zone Diameter in Orthokeratology Contact Lenses in High Myopes

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of the optical zone diameter (OZ) in orthokeratology contact lenses regarding the topographical profile in patients with high myopia (−4.00 D to −7.00 D) and to study its effect over the visual quality.

Materials and Methods

Twelve patients (18 eyes) were fitted with overnight orthokeratology (OrthoK) with a randomized 6 mm or 5 mm OZ lens worn for 2 weeks, followed by a 2-week washout period, between both designs. Keratometry (K) readings, optical zone treatment diameter (OZT), peripheral ring width (PRW), higher-order aberrations (HOA), high (HC) and low contrast (LC) visual acuity, and subjective vision and comfort were measured at baseline and after 2 weeks of OrthoK lens wear of each contact lens.

Results

No significant differences were found between any measurements for the same subject at both baselines (p value > 0.05). There was no difference between OZ lens designs found in refraction, subjective vision or comfort, and HC and LC visual acuity. Contrast sensitivity was decreased in the 5 mm OZ lens design compared with 6 mm OZ design (p-value < 0.05). 5 mm OZ design provoked a greater flattening, more powerful midperipheral ring and 4^th-order corneal and total spherical aberration than the 6 mm OZ design, being statistically significant after 7 days, for corneal aberration, and 15 days, for corneal and total, of wearing the lens (p-value < 0.05). The OZT obtained were 2.8 ± 0.2 mm and 3.1 ± 0.1 mm for 5 mm and 6 mm OZ design, respectively (p-value < 0.05). Regarding PRW, the 5 mm OZ design had a wider ring width in both the nasal and temporal zones (p-value < 0.05).

Conclusions

A smaller diameter optical zone (5 mm) in orthokeratology lenses produces a smaller treatment area and a larger and more powerful midperipheral ring, increasing the 4^th-order spherical aberration that affects only the contrast sensitivity but without differences in visual acuity and subjective vision compared with a larger OZ diameter (6 mm).

Corneal epithelial and stromal thickness changes in myopic orthokeratology and their relationship with refractive change

Purpose

To investigate topographic changes in corneal epithelial thickness (CET) and stromal thickness following orthokeratology (OK) and to determine associated factors affecting refractive changes.

Methods

This study investigated the topographic changes in CET and stromal thickness in 60 myopic eyes that were fitted with OK lenses. CET and stromal thickness were obtained using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) before and after OK lens wear. Changes in refractive error and corneal topography data were obtained. The correlation between refractive change and corneal thickness change, and various refractive, lens, and topographic parameters were analyzed using simple regression analysis.

Results

Mean refractive error changed by 1.75 ± 0.79 diopters (D). The mean CET of the center zone (2 mm in diameter), paracenter (2 to 5 mm annular ring: 1 to 2.5 mm from center), and mid-periphery (5 to 6 mm annular ring: 2.5 to 3 mm from center) changed by -8.4, -1.4, and +2.7 μm, respectively, after OK lens wear. There was an increase of 2.0, 3.3, and 3.9 μm, respectively, in the center, paracenter, and mid-periphery of the stroma. A larger refractive correction was associated with a flatter base curve of the lens, larger decrease in the central epithelium, and smaller treatment diameter in corneal topography.

Conclusion

OK lenses caused the central corneal epithelium to thin while the mid-peripheral epithelium and stroma became thicker. Refractive changes during OK are associated with changes in central epithelial thickness, while stromal changes did not contribute significantly.

Corneal morphology and visual outcomes in LASIK patients after orthokeratology: A pilot study

A STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

For the first time, this study shows that corneas that previous undergone orthokeratology treatment do not respond differently to LASIK compared with previous soft contact lens wear experience.

PURPOSE

To evaluate and compare the corneal morphology and visual outcomes of long-term soft and orthokeratology (OK) contact lens fitting in wearers undergoing corneal refractive surgery (LASIK) for myopia correction.

METHODS

Sixteen (16) myopic patients wearing hydrophilic soft contact lens (SCL, n = 8 subjects, control group) and OK (n = 8 subjects, OK group) lenses who undergone LASIK were retrospectively evaluated. Preoperative fitting of contact lenses and one year postoperative were studied using Pentacam (Oculus, Inc. GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany). Corneal pachymetry and volume, corneal topography, anterior and posterior surface elevation data and the anterior surface aberrometry of the cornea were recorded and used for fitting.

RESULTS

Age, refractive error and topographic parameters before LASIK did not showed statistically significant differences between the two study groups. LASIK post-treatment results showed identical changes in both control and OK groups and did not show significant differences in all the parameters evaluated. The changes on corneal parameters and HOA due to refractive surgery intervention were not different between Control and OK group (p > 0.050).

CONCLUSIONS

Corneal changes due to OK treatment are reversible after its discontinuation. The present study gives an overview of how OK does not impair future LASIK surgery for the correction of myopia and does not influence the success/results of such intervention. These findings suggest that OK CL wear does not change corneal biomechanics and does not compromise a possible LASIK refractive surgery. Although this is a pilot study and there is a need of evaluate this results/changes in future studies.

Long-Term Changes in Straylight Induced by Overnight Orthokeratology: An Objective Measure Using the Double-Pass System

Purpose: To map the time course of changes in intraocular straylight of the human eye 1 year after initial lens wearing for orthokeratology treatment using the objective double-pass technique. Materials and Methods: A total of 35 subjects (19 males and 16 females) completed the study. The mean age was 11.46 ± 2.33 years (range, 8-16 years). All subjects were fitted with spherical four-zone orthokeratology lenses following the procedures recommended by the lens manufacturer. The subjects were required to wear the lens for at least eight consecutive hours at night. After lens removal during the daytime, objective scattering index (OSI) was evaluated using the double-pass technique (OQAS-II, Visiometrics, Terrassa, Spain) prior to lens dispatch (baseline), followed by evaluations at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after the initial lens wearing. Longitudinal changes were fitted to a model containing both an impairing and recovery component, and the results were based on an extrapolation between the visits. Results: OSI rose quickly following lens wearing, reaching its highest level (double that of baseline values) by approximately 1.47 months. However, the recovery phase was slow and modest. One year after the initial lens wearing, OSI exhibited a 20% recovery from the peak level, but remained 63% higher than the baseline level. Conclusions: Intraocular straylight immediately increased flowing lens wearing, and this change reaches maximal level around 1 month after lens wearing. Slow but significant recoveries of optical quality subsequently followed.

Short-Term Effects of Overnight Orthokeratology on Corneal Sub-basal Nerve Plexus Morphology and Corneal Sensitivity

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of a short period of orthokeratology (OK) on corneal sub-basal nerve plexus (SBNP) morphology and corneal sensitivity.

METHODS

Measurements were made in 56 right eyes of 56 subjects with low-to-moderate myopia who wore 2 OK lens designs (Group CRT: HDS 100 Paragon CRT, n=35; Group SF: Seefree; n=21) for a period of 1 month and in 15 right eyes of noncontact lens wearers as controls. The variables determined in each participant were corneal sensitivity using a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer and 12 SBNP variables determined on laser scanning confocal microscopy images using 3 different software packages. Correlation between SBNP architecture and corneal sensitivity was also examined.

RESULTS

Few changes were observed over the 1-month period in the variables examined in the OK treatment and control groups. However, significant reductions were detected over time in the number of nerves in the central cornea in the groups CRT (P=0.029) and SF (P=0.043) and in central corneal sensitivity in CRT (P=0.047) along with significant increases in central and midperipheral corneal Langerhans cell counts in SF (P=0.001 and 0.048, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides useful data to better understand the anatomical changes induced by OK in corneal SBNP. The different response observed to the 2 OK lens designs requires further investigation.

Posterior cornea and thickness changes after scleral lens wear in keratoconus patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate the changes in the corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth and posterior corneal curvature and aberrations after scleral lens wear in keratoconus patients with and without intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS).

METHODS

Twenty-six keratoconus subjects (36.95 ± 8.95 years) were evaluated after 8 h of scleral lens wear. The subjects were divided into two groups: those with ICRS (ICRS group) and without ICRS (KC group). The study variables evaluated before and immediately after scleral lens wear included corneal thickness evaluated in different quadrants, posterior corneal curvature at 2, 4, 6 and 8 mm of corneal diameter, posterior corneal aberrations for 4, 6 and 8 mm of pupil size and anterior chamber depth.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant corneal thinning (p < 0.05) in the inferior region of the KC group and in the superior region of the ICRS group. No change (p > 0.05) in the anterior chamber depth was found. The KC group showed a steepening (p < 0.05) in the temporal quadrant and a flattening that mainly affected to the superior-nasal quadrant. The ICRS group showed a steepening (p < 0.05) that mainly affected to the superior-nasal quadrant. Regarding posterior corneal aberrations, only changes (p < 0.05) in Z4 for 8 mm and Z8 for 4 mm were found in the KC group.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term scleral lens wear showed a thinning of the cornea and changes in the posterior corneal curvature affects different regions in keratoconus patients with and without ICRS.

The relationship between corneal biomechanics and anterior segment parameters in the early stage of orthokeratology: A pilot study

To investigate the relationship between corneal biomechanics and anterior segment parameters in the early stage of overnight orthokeratology.Twenty-three eyes from 23 subjects were involved in the study. Corneal biomechanics, including corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF), and parameters of the anterior segment, including corneal curvature, central corneal thickness (CCT), and corneal sublayers' thickness, were measured at baseline and day 1 and 7 after wearing orthokeratology lens. One-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to compare the longitudinal changes and partial least squares linear regression was used to explore the relationship between corneal biomechanics and anterior segment parameters.At baseline, CH and CRF were positively correlated with CCT (r = 0.244, P = .008 for CH; r = 0.249, P < .001 for CRF), central stroma thickness (CST) (r = 0.241, P = .008 for CH; r = 0.244, P = .002 for CRF) and central Bowman layer thickness (CBT) (r = 0.138, P = .039 for CH; r = 0.171, P = .006 for CRF). Both CH and CRF significantly decreased from day 1 after orthokeratology. The corneal curvature and the epithelium thickness also significantly decreased, while the stromal layer thickened significantly from day 1 after orthokeratology. There was no correlation between the changes of corneal biomechanics and anterior segment parameters at day 1 and 7 after orthokeratology.While corneal biomechanics were positively correlated with CCT, CST, and CBT, the changes of CH and CRF were not correlated with the changes of corneal curvature, CCT, and corneal sublayers' thickness in the early stage of orthokeratology in our study.

Alterations in corneal epithelial thickness in patients with congenital myogenic eyelid ptosis

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether the corneal epithelial thickness (CET) maps obtained by optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the congenital myogenic eyelid ptosis differ from controls.

METHODS

CET maps of 13 patients with congenital myogenic eyelid ptosis (m/f = 9/4; mean age 20.5 ± 7.5) and randomly selected one eye of 13 controls (m/f = 7/6; mean age 21.5 ± 6.5) were investigated. Three pachymetry scans of each eye were performed by OCT (RTVue-XR, Optovue Inc., USA), and the scan with the highest signal strength index was selected for the analysis.

RESULTS

In ptosis group: Minimum corneal epithelial thickness was thinner (p = 0.029), standard deviation of thickness was higher (p = 0.039), the negative of min-max values were higher (p = 0.007). This difference was originating from the significant thinness of the superior sectors (S, SN, ST) of the corneal epithelium than the inferior counterparts (I, IT, IN) (p = 0.001, p = 0.017, p = 0.002), respectively. There was no difference regarding total corneal thickness measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

The mechanic effects of ptotic eyelid to the ocular surface may reshape the corneal epithelium, which can be objectively detected by OCT.

Binocular function changes produced in response to overnight orthokeratology

PURPOSE

To analyze the binocular function changes produced on subjects undergoing overnight orthokeratology (OK) treatment over short-term (3 months) and long-term (3 years) wear.

METHODS

A prospective, longitudinal study on young adult subjects with low to moderate myopia was carried out. Binocular function was assessed by the following sequence of tests: Distance and near horizontal phoria (Von Graefe technique), distance and near horizontal vergence ranges (Risley rotary prisms), accommodative convergence/accommodation (AC/A) ratio (gradient method) and the near point of convergence (standard push-up technique). The short-term sample consisted of: 21 subjects in the control group, 26 in a corneal refractive therapy (CRT) treatment lenses group and 25 in a Seefree treatment lenses group. Those subjects were evaluated at baseline and at a 3-month follow-up visit. Twenty one subjects were old CRT wearers that attended a 3-year follow-up visit (long-term group).

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference over the 3-month treatment was found for divergence at distance: the break point decreased 1.4 Δ (p = 0.0006) in the CRT group and the recovery point increased 1.2 Δ (p = 0.001) in the Seefree group. Also, the Seefree group had an exophoric trend of 2.3 Δ at near (p = 0.02) and a base-out break decrease of 2.3 Δ (p = 0.03). For the long-term group, only the base-out break point at distant vision showed a statistically significant difference of 4.9 Δ (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

OK induces minimal changes in the binocular function for either short-term or long-term periods, apart from a near exophoric trend over the short-term period.

An efficient intelligent analysis system for confocal corneal endothelium images

A confocal microscope provides a sequence of images of the corneal layers and structures at different depths from which medical clinicians can extract clinical information on the state of health of the patient's cornea. A hybrid model based on snake and particle swarm optimisation (S-PSO) is proposed in this paper to analyse the confocal endothelium images. The proposed system is able to pre-process images (including quality enhancement and noise reduction), detect cells, measure cell densities and identify abnormalities in the analysed data sets. Three normal corneal data sets acquired using a confocal microscope, and three abnormal confocal endothelium images associated with diseases have been investigated in the proposed system. Promising results are presented and the performance of this system is compared with manual and two morphological based approaches. The average differences between the manual and the automatic cell densities calculated using S-PSO and two other morphological based approaches is 5%, 7% and 13% respectively. The developed system will be deployable as a clinical tool to underpin the expertise of ophthalmologists in analysing confocal corneal images.

Choroidal Thickness and Peripheral Myopic Defocus during Orthokeratology

PURPOSE

To investigate whether significant thickening occurs in the human choroid in response to chronic peripheral myopic defocus during overnight orthokeratology.

METHODS

Subjects were nine children 11 to 15 years old (mean [±SD] age, 13.61 [±1.25] years). Measurements were taken at baseline and after 1, 3, 6, and 9 months of successful orthokeratology. Choroidal thickness in central, superior, temporal, and nasal gazes were measured using the Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT. The Lenstar LS 900 biometer provided a secondary measure of subfoveal choroidal thickness. Peripheral ocular length was measured in the same four fields of gaze with the Zeiss IOLMaster. Corneal and optical changes from orthokeratology were monitored throughout the study by corneal topography (Humphrey ATLAS), aberrometry (Complete Ophthalmic Analysis System), and central and peripheral autorefraction (Grand Seiko) after tropicamide 1% cycloplegia.

RESULTS

All subjects had acceptable acuity and physiologic response to overnight wear. After 1 month, central refractive error (mean ± SD) became significantly less myopic (-2.25 ± 0.95 diopters [D] vs. -0.24 ± 1.03 D), keratometric values flattened by 1.6 D, the shape factor (Q) became more oblate (-0.28 ± 0.05 vs. +0.34 ± 0.41), and spherical aberration became more positive (+0.14 ± 0.08 μm vs. +0.46 ± 0.15 μm; all p = 0.008). Peripheral refractive error remained -1.0 to -3.5 D myopic in all fields of gaze throughout the study. There were no consistent, significant changes in choroidal thickness or ocular length at any retinal location during the study (all p > 0.051). Lenstar measurement of choroidal thickness was unsuccessful because of the absence of choroidal peaks associated with thicker choroids (rs = -0.66, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The choroid did not show long-term thickening during orthokeratology despite the presence of substantial amounts of peripheral myopic defocus. Apparent inhibition of ocular growth was not attributed to an optical artifact of choroidal thickening, although smaller amounts of thickening or greater biological activity independent of thickening cannot be ruled out.

Measurement of In Vivo Three-Dimensional Corneal Cell Density and Size Using Two-Photon Imaging in C57BL/6 Mice

PURPOSE

To measure the cell size and cell density in five layers of the central cornea in the widely used inbred C57BL/6 mouse strain using in vivo three-dimensional (3D) two-photon (2PH) imaging.

METHODS

Corneas were scanned using a 2PH laser scanning fluorescence microscope after staining with plasma membrane stain and Hoechst 33342. Good quality 3D images were selected for the cell density and cell size analysis. Cell density was determined by counting the cell nuclei in a predefined cube of 3D images. Cell size measurements, including cell surface area, cell volume, nuclear surface area and nuclear volume, were automatically quantified using the Imaris software. The cell and nuclear surface-area-to-volume ratio (S:V ratio) and the cell nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio (N:C ratio) were calculated.

RESULTS

The highest cell density was observed in the basal epithelium and the lowest in the posterior stroma. The highest cell surface area was found in the anterior stroma, and the highest cell volume was observed in the superficial epithelium. The lowest cell surface area and cell volume were both found in the basal epithelium. The highest S:V ratio was observed in the basal epithelium and the lowest in the superficial epithelium. The highest cell nuclear surface area and volume were both observed in the superficial epithelium and the lowest in the basal epithelium. The highest cell nuclear S:V ratio was observed in the basal epithelium and the lowest in the superficial epithelium. The highest N:C ratio was found in the basal epithelial cells and the lowest in the posterior keratocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

We are the first to quantify the cell density and size parameters, including cell surface area and volume, cell nuclear surface area and volume, and the S:V ratio, in the five layers of the central cornea. These data provide important cell morphology features for the study of corneal physiology, pathology and disease in mice, particularly in C57BL/6 mice.

Orthokeratology lens related infections

Orthokeratology is a reversible technique that temporarily changes the curvature of the cornea with the aim of addressing refractive errors. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for using reverse geometry contact lenses to correct myopia without any age restriction. Information from the pre-market applications to the FDA was rated as level II evidence. Another unapproved use of overnight orthokeratology is for the prevention of myopic progression. Although orthokeratology is advocated to reduce myopic progression, there are limited long-term studies with substantial evidence of its benefits. Much of this evidence comes from non-robust experimental studies using historical or self-selected controls with relative high dropout rates. Although some positive results have been published in temporarily reducing the myopic refractive error and its progression, the use of these lenses can be associated with serious complications such as microbial keratitis. Microbial keratitis is a potentially vision-threatening adverse response associated with contact lens wear. In fact, contact lens wear has been shown to be the predominant risk factor of microbial keratitis in some developed countries. Most of the published cases on overnight orthokeratology related microbial keratitis occurred in children or adolescents. Parents considering orthokeratology must make an informed decision about its temporary benefit and its potential for permanent loss of vision. The ophthalmic community should be reminded of the potential complications of orthokeratology.

Pachymetry map of corneal epithelium in children wearing orthokeratology contact lenses

PURPOSE

To study the pachymetry map of the corneal epithelium in children wearing orthokeratology lenses automatically generated by a Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The study was conducted on 60 children who had been fitted with myopic orthokeratology lenses. Patients were divided into two groups according to the duration of OK lens treatment (group 1: ≤14 days, n = 28; group 2: >14 days, n = 32). The control group consisted of 44 children. An FD-OCT device with a pachymetry module was used to map the central 6-mm corneal epithelial thickness. An epithelial thickness map was automatically generated and divided into three zones: central 2 mm, paracentral 2 to 5 mm (P1) and mid-peripheral 5 to 6 mm (P2). The average epithelial thickness of central (C), the temporal (T1), nasal (N1), superior (S1) and inferior (I1) sectors of P1, and the temporal (T2), nasal (N2), superior (S2) and inferior (I2) sectors of P2 were recorded and compared. The minimum and maximum points of epithelial thickness across the map were also recorded. Munnerlyn's formula was used to model the expected change in refractive error based on Δ(Max-Min) (Δ(Max-Min) = (Max-Min)study-(Max-Min) mean of control).

RESULTS

The central epithelial thickness was significantly different between individual groups and a significant difference from the control (Group 0) was seen in each treatment group. Both the epithelial thickness measurements of T1 and I1 were thinnest in Group 1. Both the epithelial thickness measurements of S2 and I2 were thickest in Group 2. The difference between maximum and minimum thickness was significantly different between groups with the largest effect in Group 2. The refractive changes predicted by Munnerlyn's formula were less than the actual refractive changes measured in both study groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The epithelial thickness map automatically generated by FD-OCT can provide regional information about corneal epithelium thickness following overnight wearing of OK lenses.

Anterior segment changes produced in response to long-term overnight orthokeratology

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of overnight orthokeratology (OK) on anterior chamber depth (ACD), posterior radius of corneal curvature (PRCC) and axial length (AL) over one year.

METHODS

In this prospective longitudinal study, measurements were made in 34 right eyes of 34 subjects at baseline, 15 days, 1 and 12 months after starting OK treatment. ACD and PRCC measurements were obtained using a Pentacam system and AL was measured using an IOL-Master. ACD and PRCC were measured along the horizontal and vertical meridians at 1 mm intervals. These measurements were expressed as the distance from the center in the nasal (N), temporal (T), superior (S) and inferior (I) directions.

RESULTS

A significant reduction in ACD was observed in both meridians during treatment. PRCC flattened significantly in the (T) direction after 15 d (1 mm, p < 0.05), at the corneal center after 15 d (p < 0.01), in the (T) direction after 1 month (1 mm, p < 0.05), in the (S) direction after 12 months (1 mm p < 0.05), in the (N) direction after 12 months (1 mm p < 0.05), in the (N) and (T) directions after 12 months (3 mm, p < 0.05) and in the (T) direction after 12 months (4 mm p < 0.05), at the corneal center after 12 months (p < 0.01). AL was significantly reduced during treatment (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A long period of OK reduces ACD and AL and changes PRCC.

Straylight and contrast sensitivity after corneal refractive therapy

PURPOSE

To compare intraocular straylight and contrast sensitivity determined before corneal refractive therapy and after 15 days and 1 month of treatment.

METHODS

A single-center, prospective, and longitudinal study was performed in 30 subjects undergoing corneal refractive therapy. In each subject, high-contrast visual acuity (HCVA), low-contrast visual acuity (LCVA), straylight, and contrast sensitivity were determined at baseline and after 15 days and 1 month after the treatment. Straylight was measured using the van den Berg straylight meter (third generation). Contrast sensitivity was determined under both photopic and mesopic conditions using the VCTS 6500 instrument (Vision Contrast Test System). EDTRS charts (logMAR units) were used to measure HCVA and LCVA.

RESULTS

Straylight (mean ± standard deviation) significantly fell from baseline (0.94 ± 0.14) to the values recorded at 1 month (0.85 ± 0.11, p = 0.009). Photopic contrast sensitivity remained stable yet mesopic contrast sensitivity measured at high spatial frequencies was significantly reduced. No correlations between intraocular straylight and contrast sensitivity, HCVA, or LCVA were observed 15 days and 1 month after corneal refractive therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest improved intraocular straylight readings 1 month after starting the treatment, although the changes observed in straylight could not be related to changes in mesopic and photopic contrast sensitivity or HCVA and LCVA. Mesopic contrast sensitivity was more affected by the treatment intervention than photopic contrast sensitivity.

Epidemiology, genetics and treatments for myopia

Myopia is a significant public health problem and its prevalence is increasing over time and genetic factors in disease development are important. The prevalence and incidence of myopia within sampled population often varies with age, country, sex, race, ethnicity, occupation, environment, and other factors. Myopia growth is under a combination of genes and their products in time and space to complete the coordination role of the guidance. Myopia-related genes include about 70 genetic loci to which primary myopias have been mapped, although the number is constantly increasing and depends to some extent on definition. Of these, several are associated with additional abnormalities, mostly as part of developmental syndromes. These tend to result from mutations in genes encoding transcriptional activators, and most of these have been identified by sequencing candidate genes in patients with developmental anomalies. Currently, COL1A1 (collagen alpha-1 chain of type I), COL2A1 (collagen alpha-1 chain of type II), ACTC1 (actin, alpha, cardiac muscle 1), PAX6 (paired box gene 6) and NIPBL (nipped-B homolog), and so on have been mapped. Myopia is most commonly treated with spectacles or glasses. The most common surgical procedure performed to correct myopia is laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). This review of the recent advances on epidemiology, genetic locations and treatments of myopia are summarized.