To review myopia progression over 4 years in children who wore peripheral defocus modifying lenses (PDMLs), and assess its efficacy of myopia control.

This was a retrospective, non-randomized controlled trial at a tertiary referral center (Tongren Eye Care Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital). Data from 217 children aged 8-14 years who wore PDMLs or single vision lenses (SVLs) consecutively for 4 years (from 2011 to 2014) were collected from electronic medical records. Information such as age, gender, refraction, and type of spectacle lenses were included. PDML is an asymmetric design in which myopia progression was slowed using peripheral vision control technology. Final subjects were 88 children who were included after propensity score matching, with 44 children in each group. Only data of right eyes were included using a generalized estimation equation (GEE) model. Independent t tests and Chi-square tests were used to determine whether myopia progression differed between the two groups.

Annual myopia progression was -0.85±0.43 D, -0.60±0.35 D, -0.64±0.26 D and -0.53±0.28 D in the PDML group, and was -0.82±0.42 D, -0.79±0.44 D, -0.61±0.40 D and -0.58±0.33 D in the SVL group, respectively. 59%(26/44) in the PDML group progressed lower than 2.00 D, slightly higher than that of 50.0%(22/44) in the SVL group (χ²=2.06, P=0.12). After stratification by age and baseline refraction, there was also no significant difference in myopia progression between the two groups. In the GEE model, annual myopia progression was associated with age (β=0.06; standard error: 0.01; 95%CI: 0.03, 0.09; P<0.001) and treatment (β=-0.09; standard error: 0.05; 95%CI: -0.19, -0.01; P=0.04).

Compared to single vision lenses, peripheral defocus modifying lenses can moderately slow myopia progression. However, the effect is not remarkable in clinical practice.

peripheral defocus; myopia control; real world study