The First Survey Report on the Current Trends in Prescription of Orthokeratologic Lenses in Korea

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the current trends in the prescription of orthokeratologic lenses in Korea. METHODS: We sent out an online survey to the members of the Korean ophthalmological Society in December 2007 and March 2008. We received responses from 139 ophthalmologists and analyzed the results of each question. RESULTS: Easy fitting (34.5%) was selected as a major factor in the selection of orthokeratologic lenses. Children between the ages of 10 and 15 years with myopia less than 5 diopter, astigmatism less than 1.5 diopter, and 42 to 45-diopter keratometric value were preferred by most respondents. Decentration (n=74, 59%), corneal erosion (n=35, 25.2%), undercorrection (n=18, 12.9%), and allergy (n=11, 7.9%) were the most frequently encountered problems. 54.7% (n=76) of respondents needed to be fitted twice for trial lenses. The time required for the lens prescription in one patient was more than 30 minutes in 83.5% (n=116) of respondents. 59.7% of the respondents agreed that the lenses had an inhibitory potential on myopic progression, and 81.3% of the respondents said that orthokeratology could substitute for refractive surgery. CONCLUSIONS: There is a possibility of future growth in the use of orthokeratology. It is necessary to provide guidelines and teaching programs for the safe and effective fitting of orthokeratologic lenses.