Meta-analysis Finds Slight Advantage to Ortho-K Over DIMS Lenses

Each of the studies in this meta-analysis showed an advantage for orthokeratology, though the average difference was modest. Photo: Song D, et al. BMC Ophthalmol. January 10, 2026. Click image to enlarge. Clinicians have an expanding toolkit of interventions for myopia management, each with specific virtues and drawbacks. As understanding their comparative performance can help in clinical decision-making, Chinese researchers recently conducted a meta-analysis comparing orthokeratology (ortho-K) with spectacle lens wear in nine clinical studies on ortho-K and defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) lenses. In a paper for BMC Ophthalmology, they noted that “ortho-K demonstrates superior efficacy in controlling axial elongation (AE) compared to DIMS,” although results differed somewhat by age and ethnicity.To ensure accurate and relevant data, the authors excluded incomplete studies, ones that included participants with overlapping ocular conditions and ones with participants who had previously tried other myopia treatments. The nine studies deemed valid for the meta-analysis comprised a total of 1,480 participants, 812 of whom had undergone myopia control treatment using ortho-K and 668 DIMS lens wearers. In their paper on the meta-analysis, the authors wrote that eight of the studies “involved East Asian myopic children, while one study enrolled French participants,” all between the ages of six and 16.While ortho-K “provided superior AE control efficacy compared to DIMS in East Asian populations,” the study noted, “no statistically significant difference was observed between the two interventions in Caucasian populations.” East Asian children who wore ortho-K also experienced 0.08mm less axial eye growth than those wearing DIMS, whereas among Caucasian children there was “no statistically significant difference in slowing SER progression.” Additionally, ortho-K was found to slow axial elongation by 0.06mm more than DIMS in children 10 years of age or younger. Children above 10 still experienced greater effectiveness with Ortho-K, though less than the under-10 age group.The research may have been limited by various factors, including the period of time between studies and follow-up examinations. “It is widely recognized,” wrote the study’s authors, “that the treatment effect may appear more pronounced in the initial one to two years, a phenomenon often observed with ortho-K. Over longer periods, the rate of axial elongation in the ortho-K group may exhibit a ‘catch-up’ trend.” Because this study used data primarily from a one-year timespan, their findings may not hold up over longer periods. It may also have been affected by participants’ ethnicities, as ortho-K’s effectiveness was found largely among East Asian children.With myopia a growing concern among children, understanding how to halt its progression is of utmost importance to prevent it from getting worse or paving the way for other, more severe conditions. As research progresses, ortho-K remains a promising solution for suitable patients, but each new product, including DIMS lenses, is one step towards better understanding the condition’s inner workings and remediations.Click here for the journal source. Song D, Chen X, Hong F, et al. Which is better for myopia control in children: orthokeratology or DIMS spectacle lenses? A meta-analysis. BMC Ophthalmol. January 10, 2026. [Epub ahead of print.]This article was developed by the editorial staff in conjunction with experts in the field. In the process, AI may have been among the editorial tools used to meet the goals of human editors, who approved all content.