Multifocal contact lenses and defocus incorporated multiple segments lenses slow myopic progression in Chinese children with high myopia

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of multifocal soft contact lenses (MFSCLs) and defocus incorporated multiple segments lenses (DIMS) to limit myopic progression in children with high myopia. METHODS: This retrospective study included 249 children (aged 8-16 years) with high myopia (non-cycloplegic spherical equivalent [SE] -6.00 to -10.00 D, astigmatism < 2.00 D). Selected participants were those treated with DIMS (N=81), MFSCLs (DISC, N=60), or single-vision spectacles (SVLs, N=108, control group). Myopic progression was assessed based on the 1-year SE change from baseline, categorized as slow (<-0.25 D), moderate (-0.25 to -0.75 D), or rapid (> -0.75 D). The multiple linear regression evaluated the association between myopic progression and characters. RESULTS: No significant differences in age, SE, or sex were found among the groups at baseline. At one year, the magnitude of myopic progression was significantly smaller in the DIMS (-0.47 ± 0.39 D, 33.8 %) groups and MFSCLs (-0.39 ± 0.47 D, 45.1 %) compared to the SVL group (-0.71 ± 0.54 D; P < 0.001). The proportion of slow progressors was 28.40 % (SVLs), 39.81 % (DIMS), and 51.67 % (MFSCLs). Age was associated with the myopic progression in the DIMS (β=0.108, P < 0.001) and SVLs (β=0.120, P < 0.001) group, but not in the MFSCLs (P=0.776) group. MFSCLs were preferred for children under 12 years, while DIMS and MFSCLs showed comparable efficacy for those over 12 with high myopia. CONCLUSIONS: Both MFSCLs and DIMS have demonstrated efficacy in delaying myopic progression in children with high myopia. The MFSCLs will give children better control up to the age of 12; after that, they remain a good option.