According to Lin, Lin, and Lee (2002), myopia is a condition that is also known as nearsightedness or shortsightedness. In this condition, the light does not focus on the retina of the eye, but it focuses on the front of it (Lin, Lin, and Lee, 2002). Myopia makes individuals see an object clearly when looking at it from a very close distance. According to a study done by Tetsuhiko, Hiraoka, and Oshika (2011), there is an influence of overnight orthokeratology (OK) on axial elongation in children who suffer from this condition (myopia).
Myopia is said to be one of the most common forms of eye abnormalities in humans worldwide (Lin, Lin, and Lee, 2002). In young children, this condition is attributed to axial elongation. According to an article by Tetsuhiko, Hiraoka, and Oshika (2011), myopia condition is corrected by spectacles although this form of treatment does not solve the problem of axial elongation completely. Past experiments and reports have shown that overnight orthokeratology is very effective in reducing axial elongation in children. Therefore, it is reliable in the treatment of myopia. In 2002, Tetsuhiko, Hiraoka, and Oshika (2011) conducted a study to experiment with the possibility of OK treating myopia condition in young children.
The experiment was done between November 2002 and June 2007 using the survey method. 45 children (comprising of 22 boys and 23 girls) were enrolled in the OK program while 60 children (comprising of 32 boys and 28 girls) served as the control experiment. Children in the OK program used OK lenses while those in the control experiment used single vision glasses (Tetsuhiko, Hiraoka, and Oshika, 2011). After two years of study, axial elongation in the OK program increased from 24.66 ± 1.11 to 25.05 ± 1.06 mm while in the control experiment it increased from 24.79 ± 0.80 to 25.40 ± 0.84 mm (Tetsuhiko, Hiraoka, and Oshika, 2011). Increases in axial length were 0.39 in the OK group and 0.61 in the control experiment group (Tetsuhiko, Hiraoka, and Oshika, 2011).
One limitation of this study is that researchers used a contact-type ultrasonic device to measure axial length, which does not provide accurate measurements (Tetsuhiko, Hiraoka, and Oshika, 2011). In addition to this, the data received from the control experiment were influenced by other studies.
This article has helped me understand the importance of carrying out an independent experiment. As a good researcher, there is a need to do an experiment that is independent to avoid data influence. To make this experiment consistent and valid, I would have used measuring tools that can produce accurate and very precise measurements. In addition, I would have conducted an independent experiment that does not rely on other researchers’ data. From this study, I have learned that although myopia is a common condition, it can be treated using OK, which reduces axial elongation inpatients.
In conclusion, the study done by Tetsuhiko, Hiraoka, and Oshika (2011) showed a considerable increase of the axial length in the two different categories of children (those treated using OK and those treated using single vision glasses). The outcomes of this extensive experiment demonstrated that axial elongation in the group of children using OK treatment was considerably smaller than that of children in the control experiment. Therefore, OK has the potential of minimizing axial elongation and can effectively be used in treating myopia (Lin, Lin, and Lee, 2002).
References List
Lin, K. K., Lin, Y. C, Lee J. S. (2002). Low vision and methods of rehabilitation: a comparison between the past and present. Chang Gung Med J, 25 (3): 153–161.
Tetsuhiko, K., Hiraoka, T., and Oshika, T. (2011). Influence of Overnight Orthokeratology on Axial Elongation in Childhood Myopia. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science an Arvo Journal, 52 (5): 2170-2174.