Short-term orthokeratology effects on corneal biomechanics with a focus on SPA1 and stress-strain index (SSI) parameters in pediatric myopia.

Purpose: Although the orthokeratology effects on corneal biomechanics have been proven with clinical trials, reports of stiffness parameter change are scarce. This study investigated the short-term orthokeratology effects in pediatric myopia and compared stiffness parameter changes to those published in recent clinical investigations. This prospective study aimed to investigate corneal biomechanics changes induced by short-term overnight orthokeratology treatment, focusing on stiffness parameter at A1 and stress-strain index.

Methods: Twenty-six children aged 8 to 18 were included in this study using orthokeratology lenses for two different durations: 1 day and 1 week. Corneal biomechanics were assessed using corneal visualization (Corvis) Scheimpflug technology. Measurements were taken at baseline and after each wearing session. Changes in corneal stiffness parameters and corneal curvature were analyzed.

Results: All parameters changed significantly after 1 week of lens wear (p<0.05), except for velocity of corneal apex at the first and second applanation times highest concavity time, radius, stiffness parameter at A1 and stress-strain index. After 1 day, central corneal thickness, first applanation time, second applanation time, deformation amplitude ratio (2 mm), and Corvis biomechanical index (CBI) remained stable (p>0.05). After 1 week, central corneal thickness and first applanation time decreased, whereas second applanation time, deformation amplitude ratio, and Corvis Biomechanical Index significantly increased. With intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness as control variables, no significant correlation was found between stress-strain index and curvature changes (p>0.05). With age as the control variable, no significant correlation was found between stress-strain index and curvature changes (p>0.05).

Conclusions: Short-term orthokeratology treatment induced notable changes in several corneal biomechanical parameters. Stiffness parameter at A1 and stress-strain index are unaffected by increasing lens wear duration and do not influence the orthokeratology effect.