Short Term Axial Length Changes with Defocus Spectacles for Myopia Control

15 Pages Posted: 21 Feb 2023

See all articles by Rafael Iribarren

Rafael Iribarren

Drs. Iribarren Eye Consultants

Abel Szeps

Liniers Ophthalmological Center

Carlos Kotlik

Kotlic Ophthalmological Center

Liliana Laurencio

Zaldívar Ophthalmological Institute

Martin De Tomas

International Optics & Ophthalmology

Ricardo Impagliazzo

La Piramide Opticas

Gabriel Martin

Opulens (Novar)

Date Written: February 5, 2023

Abstract

Purpose. The present study tested short term axial length changes with Lenstar under the use of a simple peripheral plus add spectacle design.

Methods. Subjects for this study were current users of monofocal glasses or contact lenses, aged 18-25 years, with myopic spherical equivalent in the range of -1.00 to -5.00 diopters in both eyes. This study tested subject when using a pair of especial defocus spectacles which have a central zone with the distance myopic correction and a peripheral zone with +3.50 diopter add. The experiment consisted in reading an online book with black letters on white background on a desktop computer in two periods, one with usual spectacles and the second with special defocus spectacles. Before and after these periods, 10 measurements of the axial length of the right eye were made with the Lenstar and were averaged up to three decimals.

Results. Seventeen subjects with a mean age of 22.3+/-5.5 years (13 women) participated in this study. The mean spherical equivalent of their right eye was -2.31+/-1.06 diopters. There was a significant difference of +8.1 microns increased axial length from baseline when reading with the usual prescription during the first 40 min period. When subjects read in the same situation with the defocus spectacle, the axial length significantly returned to baseline measurements, shortening by -10.6 microns.

Conclusion. The decrease in axial length with these spectacles may show a possible effect on axial elongation signals from the choroid. These spectacles could be tested for myopia control.

Note:
Funding Information: None.

Declaration of Interests: None of the authors have any proprietary interests or conflicts of interest related to this submission.

Ethics Approval Statement: Subjects gave verbal informed consent to participate in the study using a pair of special myopia control spectacles that were provided free of charge for an experiment that lasted approximately two hours. The study was conducted in accordance with the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki. The Ethics Committee of the Argentinian Council of Ophthalmology approved the study.

Keywords: myopia control, defocus spectacles, axial length

Suggested Citation

Iribarren, Rafael and Szeps, Abel and Kotlik, Carlos and Laurencio, Liliana and De Tomas, Martin and Impagliazzo, Ricardo and Martin, Gabriel, Short Term Axial Length Changes with Defocus Spectacles for Myopia Control (February 5, 2023). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4348713 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4348713

Rafael Iribarren (Contact Author)

Drs. Iribarren Eye Consultants ( email )

Argentina

Abel Szeps

Liniers Ophthalmological Center ( email )

Gavilan 4103
Campana 4796
Buenos Aires, DC Buenos Aires 1419
Argentina
+5491168830200 (Phone)

Carlos Kotlik

Kotlic Ophthalmological Center ( email )

Mendoza
Argentina

Liliana Laurencio

Zaldívar Ophthalmological Institute ( email )

Martin De Tomas

International Optics & Ophthalmology ( email )

Buenos Aires
Argentina

Ricardo Impagliazzo

La Piramide Opticas ( email )

Mendoza
Argentina

Gabriel Martin

Opulens (Novar) ( email )

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