One‐year myopia control efficacy of cylindrical annular refractive element spectacle lenses

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the 1‐year myopia control efficacy of a spectacle lens with annular cylindrical microstructures. Methods A total of 118 consecutive eligible children aged 8–12 years with −1.00 D to −4.00 D of spherical component myopia and <1.50 D astigmatism were enrolled between August 2020 and November 2020 at the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Participants were randomly assigned to wear cylindrical annular refractive element (CARE) ( n = 61) or single‐vision ( n = 57) spectacle lenses. Cycloplegic autorefraction (spherical equivalent refraction [SER]) and axial length (AL) were measured at baseline and 6‐month intervals. Adaptation and compliance questionnaires were administered during all visits. Results Among 118 randomized participants, 96 (81.4%) were included in the analyses (mean [SE] age, 10.4 [0.6] years; 49 [51.0%] were female; mean [SE] spherical equivalent refractive error, −2.67 [0.66] D; mean [SE] axial length, 24.75 [0.77] mm). Adjusted 1‐year myopia progression was −0.56 D for CARE and −0.71 D for single‐vision spectacle lenses. The difference in progression was 0.14 D (95% CI, −0.04 to 0.32) for CARE vs single vision. Adjusted 1‐year eye growth was 0.27 mm for CARE and 0.35 mm for single vision. The difference in eye growth was 0.09 mm (95% CI, −0.15 to −0.02) for CARE vs single vision. All groups adapted to their lenses with no reported adverse events, complaints, or discomfort. Conclusions Among children with myopia, treatment with cylindrical annular refractive element spectacle lenses significantly reduced the rate of axial elongation over 1 year compared with single‐vision spectacle lenses.