Impact of multifocal gas-permeable lens designs on short-term choroidal response, axial length, and retinal defocus profile

AIM:To investigate the impact of multifocal gas permeable contact lens(MFGPCL)in various add power and distance/near area allocation on short-term changes of choroidal thickness(ChT),axial length(AL),and retinal defocus profile in young adults.METHODS:Seventeen young adults(2 males and 15 females;age 23.17±4.48y)were randomly assigned to wear two designs binocularly with a one-week washout period in between.Total of four MFGPCL designs were assessed.All designs were distance-center that varied in two add power(+1.50 and 3.00 D)and/or two distance zone(DZ)diameters(1.50 and 3.00 mm;design A:DZ 1.5/add 3.0,B:DZ 1.5/add 1.5,C:DZ 3.0/add 3.0,D:DZ 3.0/add 1.5).ChT,AL,and peripheral refraction data were collected on each subject at baseline,on days 1 and 7 of MFGPCL daily wear.ChT was assessed in four quadrants using a spectraldomain optical coherence tomography.RESULTS:AL was shortened by-26±44μm with lens C,-18±27μm with lens D,-13±29μm with lens A,and-8±30μm with lens B(all P<0.05).A significant overall increase in ChT was observed with all 4 designs(lens A:+6±6μm,B:+3±7μm,C:+8±7μm,and D:+8±7μm).Temporal and superior choroid exhibited more choroidal thickening associated with MFGPCL.All designs induced significant relative peripheral myopia(RPM)beyond the central 20o across the horizontal meridian in both nasal and temporal fields(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:MFGPCLs show a significant influence on ChT and AL,which are associated with significant increase in RPM after short-term wear.The reliability and feasibility of quantifying short-term changes in ChT support its use as a promising marker for the long-term efficacy of myopia-controlling treatments.