Longitudinal Changes in Corneal Asphericity in Myopia

Abstract

To report the change in shape of the peripheral cornea (asphericity, Q) as it relates to myopia progression in adolescence. Forty-eight subjects with initial ages between 11 and 13 years of age were observed for 5 years. Each subject had participated in a variety of soft contact lens studies and all had worn daily wear soft contact lenses successfully for the 2 years before collection of the second data set. Myopia increased by an average of 1.46 D and was strongly correlated with a 0.56-mm increase in axial length. There was no contribution to the change in myopia from the change in central radius of the cornea. A significant (p These data show a shift to a more positive Q (in the oblate direction) with increased myopia.