Abstract:

Objective      To evaluate corneal epithelium damage in teenagers undergoing overnight orthokeratology treatment. Methods      201 teenagers  (375 eyes) who accepted overnight orthokeratology treatment from September 2009 to December 2010 were observed. The relationship between the degree of myopia before treatment(-1.00~-2.00D, -2.25~-4.00D and -4.25~-6.00D)， the occurrence time and the incidence rate of corneal epithelium damage after  orthokeratology treatment were statistically analyzed. Results      The incidence rate of corneal epithelium damage was 17.1%，31.4% and 42.4% in the three groups respectively, and the difference was significant(χ2＝13.4394，P＝0.001). The occurrence time of the corneal epithelium damage among the three groups was also statistically significant(χ2=12.45，P=0.002). Conclusion     Myopia degree is positively related with  incidence rate and  time of corneal epithelium damage. Therefore,  earlier orthokeratology treatment should be given in order to get better control of myopia.

Key words: Orthokeratology; Teenagers; Myopia; Corneal epithelium damage