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PURPOSE: The technique of orthokeratology produces a corneal response to the mechanical pressures exerted by rigid contact lenses. This paper reports a study which investigated the topographic and pachometric corneal changes induced by orthokeratology. METHODS: Six young myopic subjects (11 eyes) wore "accelerated orthokeratology" lenses (OK-74; Contex Inc., Sherman Oaks, CA) in a high Dk material (AirPerm; Dk = 88) for 28 days. Corneal and epithelial thickness were measured topographically using the Holden-Payor optical micropachometer, and corneal topography was monitored using the EyeSys system. RESULTS: Refractive error change reached 1.71 +/- 0.59 D reduction in myopia after 28 days. After 1 day of lens wear, statistically significant central corneal flattening was noted, which progressed to reach 0.22 +/- 0.07 mm (1.19 +/- 0.38 D) at 28 days. A trend toward central epithelial thinning was apparent, reaching statistical significance on day 28 (7.1 +/- 7.1 microm; 9.6%). Midperipheral corneal thickening was also found approximately 2.5 mm from the corneal center, which was statistically significant by day 14 (13.0 +/- 11.1 microm; 2.4%). Calculations using Munnerlyn's formula indicate that changes in corneal sagittal height based on topographical thickness changes across the flattened central 5.25-mm zone can account for the refractive changes observed. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the initial corneal response to orthokeratology may be explained by redistribution of corneal tissue, rather than by overall bending of the cornea.
Swarbrick et al. (Sun,) studied this question.