Researchers recently found that it is possible to predict long-term axial elongation using changes at six months in children treated with orthokeratology (ortho-K) correction.

This retrospective study evaluated 70 myopic children who ranged in age from eight to 15 and had been wearing ortho-K contact lenses for more than three years. The team measured axial length changes at six months and one, two and three years relative to baseline and analyzed spherical equivalent refraction (SER), pupil size and six-month axial change.

The investigators found the patients’ axial lengths grew significantly during the three years, with a mean annual axial growth of 0.20±0.12mm and a six-month axial change of 0.04±0.12mm. They noted that the six month to three-year axial elongation correlated with baseline age and six-month axial change but not pupil diameter or SER. They added that their analysis confirmed the association between six month to three-year axial elongation and baseline age and six-month axial change. The model was statistically significant.

“This may aid in fast and timely measures in children who are predicted to have rapid myopia progression,” the study authors concluded.