Long-Term Changes in Straylight Induced by Overnight Orthokeratology: An Objective Measure Using the Double-Pass System.

PURPOSE: To map the time course of changes in intraocular straylight of the human eye 1 year after initial lens wearing for orthokeratology treatment using the objective double-pass technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 35 subjects (19 males and 16 females) completed the study. The mean age was 11.46 ± 2.33 years (range, 8-16 years). All subjects were fitted with spherical four-zone orthokeratology lenses following the procedures recommended by the lens manufacturer. The subjects were required to wear the lens for at least eight consecutive hours at night. After lens removal during the daytime, objective scattering index (OSI) was evaluated using the double-pass technique (OQAS-II, Visiometrics, Terrassa, Spain) prior to lens dispatch (baseline), followed by evaluations at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after the initial lens wearing. Longitudinal changes were fitted to a model containing both an impairing and recovery component, and the results were based on an extrapolation between the visits.

RESULTS: OSI rose quickly following lens wearing, reaching its highest level (double that of baseline values) by approximately 1.47 months. However, the recovery phase was slow and modest. One year after the initial lens wearing, OSI exhibited a 20% recovery from the peak level, but remained 63% higher than the baseline level.

CONCLUSIONS: Intraocular straylight immediately increased flowing lens wearing, and this change reaches maximal level around 1 month after lens wearing. Slow but significant recoveries of optical quality subsequently followed.