Dropout rates in pediatric optical myopia-control studies vary significantly by treatment modality, with spectacles showing the lowest discontinuation and soft contact lenses the highest, according to a study.
The systematic review analyzed randomized and non-randomized clinical trials enrolling patients aged 18 years or younger and included 57 eligible trials, 22 involving spectacles, 20 soft contact lenses, and 17 orthokeratology, representing more than 7,000 subject-years of follow-up. Dropout rates were estimated using Poisson regression, and reasons for discontinuation were compared across modalities.
Annual dropout rates ranged from 6% to 21% and differed significantly by modality, with the lowest rates observed for spectacles and the highest for soft contact lenses (P < 0.001). Spectacle-based interventions showed lower dropout related to symptoms, vision, appearance, fitting or handling issues, as well as fewer discontinuations for unknown reasons, but higher dropout for administrative or logistical reasons compared with contact lenses. Soft contact lenses were associated with fewer discontinuations due to ocular adverse events than orthokeratology, but a higher proportion of dropouts for unknown reasons.
No significant differences were found between modalities for treatment or compliance issues or for non-ocular health reasons.
Reference
Santodomingo-Rubido J, Martínez-Pérez C, Villa-Collar C. Dropout rates among optical interventions for myopia control: a systematic review. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2026;49(2):102601. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2025.102601. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41481944.
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