AAOpt 2025: The latest on Arise orthokeratology lenses with Dr Jennifer Harthan

Jennifer Harthan, OD, FAAO, FSLS, presented 2 poster presentations on recent study findings on the Arise Orthokeratology lens at the American Academy of Optometry's Academy 2025 meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. The posters, titled "Safety and effectiveness of the Arise Orthokeratology lens with toric posterior peripheral curves in patients with myopia: open-label study" and "Fit and stability of the Arise Orthokeratology lens with toric posterior peripheral curves in patients with myopia", focused on fit, stability, safety, and efficacy through a multi-center, open-label study. The research investigated an innovative orthokeratology lens system designed specifically to address challenges with corneal astigmatism. The study included participants aged 12 and older with specific inclusion criteria: up to -5 diopters of myopia and no more than 1.5 diopters of corneal astigmatism.

Key findings revealed remarkable lens performance across multiple follow-up periods. The unique torque peripheral curve system demonstrated exceptional stability, providing consistent vision, comfort, and fit at critical intervals: 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months post-fitting. Notably, no serious adverse events were reported during the study, underscoring the lens design's safety profile.

An interesting observation was the higher dropout rate, which Harthan attributed potentially to the study's demographic composition. By recruiting older, orthokeratology-naive participants, the research might have encountered more challenges in participant retention. The lens design's most significant innovation lies in its approach to corneal sagittal height differential. For patients with 30 microns or greater differential, the torque peripheral curve system ensures a more stable and successful lens fit. This targeted approach represents a sophisticated solution to complex fitting challenges.

Harthan emphasized the lens system's intuitive nature, making it particularly attractive for practitioners. Whether in busy practices or for practitioners new to orthokeratology, the design promises ease of use and adaptability. This user-friendly approach could potentially lower barriers to entry for practitioners considering myopia management strategies.

The presentations ultimately highlighted the Arise Orthokeratology lens as a promising advancement in myopia management. By addressing corneal astigmatism with a sophisticated, stable, and safe design, the lens offers a compelling option for both practitioners and patients seeking effective vision correction solutions.