Оcular Surface in Long Terms of Ortokeratology Lenses’s Use in Adolescents with Myopia

Abstract
The purpose: to study to evaluate the effect of ortokeratology lenses (OK-lenses) on the state of the ocular surface, depending on the duration of their wearing by adolescents with myopia. Patients and methods. Under control were 212 patients with myopia aged 12 to 16 years, who used OK-lenses “Paragon CRT100” (USA) for a long time (3–5 years). Examination, in addition to standard ophthalmological methods, included evaluation of complaints using the OSDI questionnaire/scale, Schirmer, Norn tests and biomicroscopy with staining of the cornea with fluorescein before and during wearing OK-lenses. Patients with keratopathy additionally underwent scanning confocal microscopy of the cornea using ConfoSkan-4 (Nidek, Japan); bacteriological examination of scraping from the cornea. Results. Clinical and functional signs of dry eye syndrome (SDE) in patients before and after prolonged use of OK therapy are not diagnosed. In 12 (5.6 %) teenagers with non-standard values of corneal curvature, signs of late epitheliopathy were revealed against the background of the absence of complaints. Patients were divided into 2 subgroups depending on the choice of antimicrobial eye drops in addition to keratoprotectors. The results of treatment in both subgroups were the same, but the use of fluoroquinolones was accompanied by an adverse development of SDE. Conclusion. In general, long-term OK therapy of myopia in adolescents is safe. The compulsory condition is an adequate prescription and observance of the wearing and lens care rules. It does not have a significant adverse effect on the clinical and functional state of the ocular surface, including the cornea. The frequency of late epitheliopathies with long-term (3–5 years) wearing OK lenses is 5.6 %, and the severity of the manifestation is characterized mainly by a mild degree. Patients with extreme corneal curvature are in a high-risk group for the development of late corneal complications during the use of OK therapy. If late epitheliopathies are detected while wearing OK lenses, it is necessary to cancel their use and to prevent the development of infectious keratitis, in addition to keratoprotectors, you can add the modern antimicrobial drug with antiseptic effect, for example, Vitabact, as the original, without a preservative, approved medicine for use in children. The use of fluoroquinolone drugs with virtually aseptic inflammation of the cornea is unjustified.