One-year results of the Variation of Orthokeratology Lens Treatment Zone (VOLTZ) Study: a prospective randomised clinical trial

Purpose: To present the 1-year results of the Variation of Orthokeratology Lens Treatment Zone (VOLTZ) Study, which aims to investigate the myopia control effect of orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses with different back optic zone diameters (BOZD). Method: Children, aged 6 to <11 years, having myopia −4.00 D to −0.75 D, were randomly assigned to wear ortho-k lenses with 6 mm (6-MM group) or 5 mm (5-MM group) BOZD. Data collection included changes in refraction, vision, lens performance and binding, ocular health conditions, axial length and characteristics of the treatment zone (TZ) area. Results: The 1-year results of 34 and 36 subjects (right eye only) in the 6-MM and 5-MM groups, respectively, are presented. No significant differences in baseline demographics were found between the groups (p > 0.05). The first-fit success rates, based on satisfactory centration at the 1-month visit, were 100% and 94% respectively. Horizontal TZ size was 0.92 mm and 0.72 mm smaller in the 5-MM group at the 6-month and 12-month visits, respectively (p < 0.05). At the 12-month visit, no significant between-group differences were found in the incidence of corneal staining (low grade only), lens binding and visual performance (all p > 0.05). Axial elongation was slower in the 5-MM group (0.04 ± 0.15 mm) than the 6-MM group (0.17 ± 0.13 mm) (p = 0.001). A significant positive correlation was observed between the horizontal TZ size and axial elongation (r = 0.36, p = 0.006). Conclusion: Clinical performance of the two ortho-k lenses was similar, indicating that a smaller BOZD (5 mm) did not affect lens performance or ocular integrity. However, a smaller BOZD led to a reduced TZ, with retardation of axial elongation by 0.13 mm compared to conventional 6 mm BOZD ortho-k lenses after one year of lens wear.