Long-term results of orthokeratology correction combined with 0.01 % atropine instilliations in children and adolescents with progressive myopia of various degrees

Purpose. To evaluate the effectiveness of control of myopia of various degrees in children and adolescents with the combined use of orthokeratology (OK) correction and ultralow-dose atropine instillations (0.01 %) over a long-term follow-up period (up to 3 years). Material and methods. Children and adolescents aged 11.0–13.5 with continuing progression of acquired myopia who wore nocturnal OK lens (OKL) were divided into three groups according to the duration of 0.01 % atropine application: group 1 comprised 58 children (116 eyes) who received the treatment for 6 months, group 2, 34 children (68 eyes), 8 months, group 3, 145 children (290 eyes), 36 months. The patients were examined before their OK-correction was supplemented by 0.01 % atropine instillations and every 6 months after it. The examination included visometry, refractometry, determination of reserves of relative accommodation reserve (RAR), objective accommodation response, pseudo accommodation (PA), measurement of axial length by optical biometry, anterior biomicroscopy, assessment of lens conditions; ophthalmoscopy under maximum mydriasis using binocular ophthalmoscope. Results. With atropine instillations, the yearly progression rate of myopia (YPR) in group 1 significantly decreased (by 1.6 times). the best effect showing in mild and moderate myopia. In group 2, after 18 months’ follow-up, YPR had significantly decreased (by 2.2 times). In group 3, after a 36 months’ observation, the maximum, 2.8-fold decrease in YPR was observed. The most marked and significant, 3.5-fold decrease in progression rate was observed in low myopia. In moderate myopia, the inhibitory effect of the combination of OKL/atropine combination showed a significant increase as the treatment duration became longer. In high myopia, progression rate fell insignificantly in the first 6 months, but over the whole period of observation, YPR showed a statistically significant, 1.6-fold decrease as compared to the initial level. RAR and PA remained at the levels they were before atropine instillations. Conclusion. OK correction combined with 0.01% atropine instillations produces a pronounced inhibitory effect in children with the most unfavourable course of myopia – progression continuing with night-time orthokeratology. The most pronounced effect was obtained in mild to moderate myopia. The longer the treatment period, the greater the effect of myopia stabilization. Over the 36 months’ period, 0.01% atropine showed no negative effect on the quality of visual functions of subjects wearing OK lenses.