Binocular Visual Performance Improvement in Children Following Overnight Orthokeratology Lens Wearing.

BACKGROUND

Orthokeratology (OK) lenses are used to control myopia progression in children. Few studies have described the changes in stereoacuity scores and fusion ranges in OK-treated children.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to investigate the effects of short-term OK lens wearing on binocular visual function, including fusion and stereoacuity, in children successfully fit with OK lenses.

METHODS

This prospective study included 36 children with ideal lens fitting (treatment zone decentration <1 mm) and was conducted between September 2020 and December 2021. Thirty-six patients were assessed before treatment, after 3 months of follow-up, and after 6 months of follow-up for contrast sensitivity (CS), fusion function, and stereopsis and calculation of the accommodative convergence/accommodation (AC/A) ratio.

RESULTS

Compared with those at baseline, the stereoacuity score and convergence amplitude were significantly improved after 3 months of OK lens wear ( P <0.05) but did not further increase after 6 months of lens wear. By contrast, the CS and AC/A ratio did not significantly change from baseline to either follow-up date ( P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The CS and AC/A ratio remained unchanged after OK lens wear, while the stereoacuity score and fusion range improved in the pediatric population. These findings suggest that OK lens wearing improves or maintains binocular vision function in myopic children who achieve good visual performance with OK lenses (ChiCTR2000038600, registered September 24, 2020).September 24, 2020).