AMDT spectacle lenses outdoes SVLs in myopia control

Asymmetric multipoint defocus technique (AMDT) spectacle lenses safely lower spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AL) progression over 1 year compared with single-vision lenses (SVLs), reports a study.

A total of 140 children (mean age 10.6 years, 50 percent female) with SER between –5.00 and –0.75 diopters (D), astigmatism of 1.50 D or less, and anisometropia of 1.50 D or less were included in this double-masked randomized controlled trial. These participants were randomized 1:1 to wear AMDT spectacle lenses or SVLs.

The investigators measured cycloplegic SER and AL at baseline, 6-month, and 12-month visits. They administered adaptation and visual performance questionnaires during the intervention.

By 12 months, children wearing SVLs (n=69) showed mean changes of –0.50 D in SER and 0.32 mm in AL compared with –0.16 D and 0.17 mm (p<0.001), respectively, in those wearing AMDT lenses (n=71).

The AMDT group demonstrated significantly less myopia progression by 0.39 D in SER (74 percent) and 0.17 mm in AL (51 percent) compared with the SVL group after adjusting for baseline age, baseline SER and AL, and ophthalmic centre.

The association between younger age and more rapid AL elongation was more noticeable among children wearing SVLs (r, –0.68; p<0.001) than those on AMDT lenses (r, –0.37; p=0.002).

Furthermore, 30 participants (42 percent) in the AMDT group did not exhibit SER progression after 1 year. Serious adverse events or persistent visual discomfort did not occur among participants.

“The correlation between age and myopia progression was diminished after AMDT participants intervention, but not for SVLs,” the investigators said.