Peripheral Lenslet Designed Spectacles Improve QOL in Children With Myopia

Peripheral lenslet designed spectacles can be a better myopia control method for improving pediatric health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared with orthokeratology and single vision spectacle treatment, according to a study published in Contact Lens & Anterior Eye.

Researchers enrolled 648 pediatric patients with myopia (age range, 7-17 years; boys, 347) in the cross-sectional study conducted between February 2021 and August 2022 and included participants treated with peripheral lenslet designed spectacles (n=231), orthokeratology (n=211), or single vision spectacles (n=206). 

The team determined utility values for all 3 cohorts using a general preference-based Child Health Utility-nine Dimensions (CHU9D) questionnaire, which assessed psychological factors, physical pain, and ability to perform daily functions. 

Overall mean utility score was 0.936 (95 % CI, 0.929-0.943). Children treated with the peripheral lenslet designed spectacles had a significantly higher utility score (0.955; 95% CI, 0.946-0.963) compared with individuals who underwent single vision spectacle (0.926; 95% CI, 0.913-0.939) or orthokeratology lens treatment (0.925; 95% CI, 0.913-0.937). 

Children who wore peripheral lenslets reported being less likely to be worried, sad, tired, or annoyed compared with those who underwent single vision spectacle or orthokeratology treatment (P < .05), the report shows. They also reported improved eyesight and less eye pain and discomfort compared with participants using the other 2 myopia control strategies. 

Myopia level did not significantly affect HRQOL in participants treated with single vision or  peripheral lenslet designed spectacles, but children treated with orthokeratology who had a higher degree of myopia reported a better HRQoL compared with children with lower degrees of myopia who underwent the same myopia treatment.

“Better eyesight and less eye pain/discomfort from myopia correction could improve the HRQoL of children,” according to the study authors. “This study indicates that [peripheral lenslet designed] spectacles may be considered for myopia management in children and adolescents.

The use of self-reported data from the CHU9D questionnaire, a single center design, and the observational nature of the investigation are all acknowledged limitations to the research.