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OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of orthokeratology for slowing myopia progression in children. METHODS: We performed a specific search on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials, CNKI, SinoMed, and Wanfang Data for RCTs conducted up to October 1, 2022. We pooled the weighted mean difference (WMD) between the orthokeratology and control groups for axial length (AL) elongation and the odds ratio (OR) for rates of adverse events and dropout. RESULTS: Seven RCTs involving 655 eyes were included. There were significant differences in the effects of orthokeratology versus control in slowing AL elongation with WMD of -0.11 mm (95% confidence interval (CI), -0.13 to -0.08; P <0.01) at 6 months, -0.16 mm (95% CI, -0.18 to -0.13; P <0.01) at 12 months, -0.23 mm (95% CI, -0.29 to -0.18; P <0.01) at 18 months, and -0.28 mm (95% CI, -0.38 to -0.19; P <0.01) at 24 months, respectively. Myopia control rate declined, with 64%, 53%, 50%, and 47% recorded for 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. There was no statistical significance for adverse events between orthokeratology and control groups (OR=2.63, 95% CI, 0.72-9.61; P =0.11). CONCLUSION: Orthokeratology can effectively slow myopia progression in children, and the efficacy of myopia control decreases with time.
Tang et al. (2023) studied this question.