Photopic pupil size change in myopic orthokeratology and its influence on axial length elongation

AIM:To explore the photopic pupil size behavior in myopic children undergoing overnight orthokeratology(ortho-k)over 1-year period and its effects on the axial elongation.METHODS:A total of 202 Chinese myopic children were enrolled in this prospective clinical trial.Ninetyfive subjects in ortho-k group and eighty-eight subjects in spectacle group completed the 1-year study.Axial length(AL)was measured before enrollment and every 6mo after the start of ortho-k.The photopic pupil diameter(PPD)was determined using the Pentacam AXL and measured in an examination room with lighting of 300-310 Lx.Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify variables contribution to axial elongation.RESULTS:Compared with spectacle group,the average 1-year axial elongation was significantly slower in the ortho-k group(0.25±0.27 vs 0.44±0.23 mm,P<0.0001).In ortho-k group,PPDs significantly decreased from 4.21±0.62 mm to 3.94±0.53 mm after 1mo of lens wear(P=0.001,Bonferroni correction)and the change lasts for 3-month visit.No significantly change during the other follow-up visits was found(P>0.05,Bonferroni correction).The 4.81 mm PPD may be a possible cutoff point in the ortho-k group.Subjects with PPD below or equal to 4.81 mm tended to have smaller axial elongation compared to subjects with PPD above 4.81 mm after 1-year period(t=-3.09,P=0.003).In ortho-k group,univariate analyses indicated that those with older age,greater degree of myopia,longer AL,smaller baseline PPD(PPDbaseline)experienced a smaller change in AL.In multivariate analyses,older age,greater AL and smaller PPDbaseline were associated with smaller increases in AL.In spectacle group,PPD tended to be stable(P>0.05,Bonferroni correction)and did not affect axial growth.CONCLUSION:PPDs experience significantly decreases at 1-month and 3-month ortho-k treatment.Children with smaller PPD tend to experience slower axial elongation and may benefit more from ortho-k.