Ortho-K Lenses May Risk Ocular Surface Health and Tear Film Stability
- Anterior Eye indicates that the use of orthokeratology lenses to control the progression of myopia may be associated with risks to the health of the ocular surface.
- Orthokeratology, often referred to as ortho-K, involves the use of specialized corneal contact lenses worn overnight to reshape the cornea.
- The study, involving researchers such as Xiao-Di Yang from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in China, notes that contact lenses act as foreign bodies on the...
Research published in Contact Lens &. Anterior Eye indicates that the use of orthokeratology lenses to control the progression of myopia may be associated with risks to the health of the ocular surface. Specifically, the study suggests that these lenses can lead to tear film instability and the loss of meibomian glands.
Orthokeratology, often referred to as ortho-K, involves the use of specialized corneal contact lenses worn overnight to reshape the cornea. While this method is used to manage myopia, the research highlights that the presence of these lenses on the eye can disrupt normal ocular functions.
Impact on Ocular Surface Health
The study, involving researchers such as Xiao-Di Yang from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in China, notes that contact lenses act as foreign bodies on the eye. This interaction can alter the normal structure of the tear film.
Findings indicate that adolescents who wear ortho-K lenses experienced significantly greater loss of meibomian glands and lower tear film stability compared to those not using the lenses. Meibomian glands are essential for producing the lipid layer of the tear film, which prevents the evaporation of tears from the ocular surface.
Contact lenses have several advantages, but they act as foreign bodies on the eye and can alter the normal structure of the tear film
Xiao-Di Yang, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University
The loss of these glands and the resulting instability of the tear film can compromise the overall homeostasis of the ocular surface, potentially leading to further complications if not monitored.
Clinical Implications and Monitoring
Due to these identified risks, medical professionals emphasize the necessity of rigorous oversight for patients using orthokeratology. Jeffrey Kong, OD, FAAO, suggests that regular follow-up and close monitoring of ocular surface health are required for those utilizing these lenses for myopia control.
The need for investigation into the influence of overnight orthokeratology on the health of the ocular surface has been highlighted in multiple reports, including a prospective study published in BMC Ophthalmology on April 3, 2023, which focused on myopic children.
Comparative Treatments and Combined Therapies
While ortho-K is one method of myopia control, other treatments such as atropine eye drops are also utilized. Some research has explored the efficacy of combining these two methods to achieve better myopia control.
However, the long-term safety of dual treatment—combining orthokeratology lenses with 0.01% atropine eye drops—remains a subject of ongoing study. Researchers have noted that the effects of combined use on tear film stability, ocular surface homeostasis, and corneal epithelial alterations have not been sufficiently explored in prior literature.
The balance between the efficacy of myopia progression control and the potential for ocular surface degradation remains a critical point of clinical consideration for practitioners prescribing these interventions to adolescents.