Abstract:AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of progressive defocus rigid gas permeable (DRGP) contact lenses in slowing down myopic progression and analyze the factors may influence axial length (AL) elongation in myopic children. METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted on school-age children with myopia of -5.00 D or higher who were fitted with DRGP lenses. A matched control group wearing single-vision (SV) spectacles was selected based on comparable baseline age and refractive error. The AL was measured at baseline and at 6-month intervals thereafter. Changes in AL were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The DRGP lenses group comprised 56 subjects (39 females, mean age 11.96±2.32y), the SV spectacle group comprised 53 subjects (29 females, mean age 11.09±2.33y). After a 12-month follow-up period, the mean axial elongation was measured to be 0.19±0.13 mm in the DRGP group and 0.45±0.20 mm in the SV group, respectively (P<0.001). The use of DRGP lenses by children resulted in a 57.8% lower AL of the eye compared to the use of spectacles over the one-year period. Concurrently, the treatment effect was found to be negatively correlated with the baseline age (r=-0.46, P<0.001) and flat keratometry (r=-0.34, P=0.010). CONCLUSION: Daily wearing of the DRGP lenses significantly curbs axial elongation in children when compared with SV lenses.
