Which is better, OK lenses or low-concentration atropine? Can they be used together?

OK lenses and low-concentration atropine are both effective means of myopia prevention and control. In terms of the effect of myopia prevention and control, which one is more effective?

There are different concentrations of low-concentration atropine used in clinical practice, including 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.125%, etc. According to the data from existing clinical studies, orthokeratology lenses are generally better than 0.02% and 0.125% low-concentration atropine in controlling the increase in myopia and eye axis growth.

So, "What is the value of low-concentration atropine?" "Why didn't the doctor recommend my child to use orthokeratology lenses directly, but atropine instead?"

Every child’s situation is different. For example:

- For some children whose myopia is relatively mild, low-concentration atropine can be used alone to control it;

-Some children are too young or their parents are worried and cannot cooperate with orthokeratology lenses;

So, can orthokeratology lenses be used together with atropine?

The answer is yes, but it is up to the doctor to judge. Orthokeratology lenses, defocused soft lenses, and specially designed frame lenses are collectively referred to as "optical solutions" for myopia prevention and control, while low-concentration atropine is a "drug solution." When doctors encounter situations where a single optical solution or atropine alone cannot satisfactorily control the progression of myopia, they will consider a "combined solution" of "an optical solution" + atropine.

To sum up: Orthokeratology lenses are generally better than low-concentration atropine in preventing and controlling myopia, and the two can be used together. But which one to choose and whether to use them together is simple - listen to the doctor.

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About Dr. Jingcai: The creators of Dr. Jingcai's popular science content all have a professional background in ophthalmology, a master's degree or above, and are former ophthalmologists. For some popular science content with a higher degree of professionalism, we will also invite working ophthalmologists and optometry experts to review and check it, striving to be responsible for the accuracy of the content and avoid misleading readers.