The effect of corneal power distribution on axial elongation in children using three different orthokeratology lens designs

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between spatial corneal power distribution and one-year axial length (AL) elongation using three ortho-k lens designs by a unified mathematical method. Methods: A total of 137 subjects were included: 42 with Euclid lenses, 28 with DRL lenses, and 67 with CRT lenses. AL elongation, Xmax, Ymax and power exponent were compared among the three groups. One-year relative corneal refractive power change (RCRPC) was calculated by a polynomial function and a monomial function. Factors including age, baseline spherical equivalent refractive error (SER), Xmax, Ymax and power exponent was tested against one-year AL growth in a stepwise multiple linear regression model.Results: The power exponent (F = 7.29, P = 0.0012) and Xmax (F = 62.88, P < 0.0001) of the DRL group was significantly smaller than that of the other two lens groups. Ymax was not significantly different among three lens groups (F = 1.18, P = 0.31). The one-year AL elongation of the DRL group (0.09 +/- 0.14 mm) was significantly slower than that of the Euclid group (0.26 +/- 0.14 mm, P = 0.002) and CRT group (0.32 +/- 0.18 mm, P < 0.0001). AL elongation was significantly correlated with Xmax (standardized 8 = 0.196, P = 0.003), power exponent (standardized 8 = 0.644, P < 0.001), and age (standardized 8 = -0.263, P < 0.001), with R2 being 0.608.Conclusion: A smaller and more aspheric treatment zone may be beneficial for reducing axial elongation in children undergoing ortho-k treatment, regardless of their baseline myopic refractive error.