MODERATING ROLE OF MYOPIA SEVERITY IN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DEFOCUS SPECTACLE LENSES IN SLOWING MYOPIA PROGRESSION: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY
Author(s)
Zixuan Wang, B.S.1, Shaocun Huang, B.S.2, Xiaoqin Chen, M.Sc.2, Lihua Li, B.S.2, Tiejing Sun, M.Sc.2, Chang Luo, M.Sc.1, Shitong Xie, PhD1.
1School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China, 2Tianjin Eye hospital, Tianjin, China.
1School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China, 2Tianjin Eye hospital, Tianjin, China.
OBJECTIVES: While previous research has established a connection between defocus spectacle lenses and myopia progression, the moderating role of myopia severity remains largely unexplored. To address this gap, we determined whether the impact of defocus spectacle lenses varies according to myopia severity.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of electronic health records from the Tianjin Eye Hospital between March 2023 to September 2024. Myopia patients with treatment records for defocus and single-vision (SV) spectacle lenses were included. Changes in spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AL) from baseline to 12-month follow-up were adopted to assess the myopia progression. Overlap weighting was applied to adjust for potential confounders. Moderation analyses tested whether the effect of defocus spectacle lenses differed according to baseline SER.
RESULTS: A total of 633 patients were included. The mean [SD] age was 11.32 [2.26] years, and 304 [48.03%] were female. Defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) and highly aspherical lenslets (HAL) were more effective in slowing myopia progression compared with SV. The effect was significant for patients with low myopia (DIMS vs SV: estimate difference = 0.35±0.09D, -0.16±0.05mm, p < 0.01; HAL vs SV: estimate difference = 0.50±0.11D, -0.24±0.05mm, p < 0.01). However, for patients with high myopia, the relationship between defocus spectacle lenses and myopia progression was not significant (DIMS vs SV: estimate difference = 0.20±0.19D, 0.001±0.15mm, p = 1; HAL vs SV: estimate difference = -0.01±0.19D, -0.06±0.04mm, p = 1). Among patients with moderate myopia, only HAL remained significantly effective in slowing AL progression compared with SV (estimate difference: -0.20±0.04mm, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: The study identified baseline myopia severity as a significant moderator in the relationship between defocus spectacle lenses and myopia progression. These findings support prioritizing defocus lenses for low-to-moderate myopia, as baseline refraction guides optimal outcomes.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of electronic health records from the Tianjin Eye Hospital between March 2023 to September 2024. Myopia patients with treatment records for defocus and single-vision (SV) spectacle lenses were included. Changes in spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AL) from baseline to 12-month follow-up were adopted to assess the myopia progression. Overlap weighting was applied to adjust for potential confounders. Moderation analyses tested whether the effect of defocus spectacle lenses differed according to baseline SER.
RESULTS: A total of 633 patients were included. The mean [SD] age was 11.32 [2.26] years, and 304 [48.03%] were female. Defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) and highly aspherical lenslets (HAL) were more effective in slowing myopia progression compared with SV. The effect was significant for patients with low myopia (DIMS vs SV: estimate difference = 0.35±0.09D, -0.16±0.05mm, p < 0.01; HAL vs SV: estimate difference = 0.50±0.11D, -0.24±0.05mm, p < 0.01). However, for patients with high myopia, the relationship between defocus spectacle lenses and myopia progression was not significant (DIMS vs SV: estimate difference = 0.20±0.19D, 0.001±0.15mm, p = 1; HAL vs SV: estimate difference = -0.01±0.19D, -0.06±0.04mm, p = 1). Among patients with moderate myopia, only HAL remained significantly effective in slowing AL progression compared with SV (estimate difference: -0.20±0.04mm, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: The study identified baseline myopia severity as a significant moderator in the relationship between defocus spectacle lenses and myopia progression. These findings support prioritizing defocus lenses for low-to-moderate myopia, as baseline refraction guides optimal outcomes.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-09, ISPOR Asia Pacific 2026, Bangkok, Thailand
Value in Health, Volume 55, Issue S1
Code
CO5
Topic
Clinical Outcomes
Topic Subcategory
Clinical Outcomes Assessment, Comparative Effectiveness or Efficacy
Disease
SDC: Sensory System Disorders (Ear, Eye, Dental, Skin)