Effects of atropine, orthokeratology lenses, defocus contact lenses, and Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments spectacle lenses on choroidal thickness.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of various myopia control methods, including atropine, orthokeratology (OK) lenses, defocus soft contact lenses (MiSight®, MS), and defocus incorporated multiple segment spectacle lenses (Hyoa Miyosmart®, HY), on choroidal thickness in children with myopia.

Methods: This single-center, retrospective study was conducted at China Medical University Hospital in Taichung, Taiwan, from December 2023 to September 2024. Patients were divided into four groups based on treatment modality: atropine, OK lenses, MS lenses, and HY lenses. Choroidal thickness was measured after six months of treatment using enhanced depth imaging OCT at seven specific locations. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests, with significance set at P < 0.05.

Results: A total of 51 children (102 eyes) aged 5-15 years were included in the study. Participants were divided into four groups: atropine (n = 34), OK lenses (n = 44), MS lenses (n = 16), and Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments spectacle lens (DIMS), HY lenses (n = 8). Both OK lenses and DIMS lenses demonstrated significantly greater choroidal thickness compared to atropine across most measurement points. OK lenses consistently exhibited thicker choroids than MS lenses, while MS lenses showed no significant difference compared to atropine. HY lenses exhibited similar effects to OK lenses, indicating comparable efficacy in enhancing choroidal thickness.

Conclusion: Children treated with orthokeratology and defocus-incorporated spectacle lenses exhibited greater choroidal thickness compared to those using defocus soft contact lenses and atropine, highlighting the variability in mechanisms among different myopia control interventions.