AIM: To observe the influence of the overnight orthokeratology(OK)on the ocular surface and tear film, and to assess the discomfort caused by OK wearing in adolescent myopic patients.

METHODS: This is a prospective study included 69 myopic adolescents(138 eyes)aged 12-18 years old. 31 subjects were fitted with spectacles and 38 underwent OK treatment for 12mo. All subjects were measured with the ocular surface disease index(OSDI), the corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining(the Oxford Scheme), tear film breakup time(TBUT), noninvasive tear break-up time(NIBUT)and the Schirmer I test before wearing and at 1, 3, 6, and 12mo after wearing.

RESULTS: Compared with the spectacle group and baseline, the OSDI scores were significantly higher at all recording time, the Oxford scores were significantly higher at 6 and 12mo, and TBUT and NIBUT were significantly lower at all recording time in the OK group(all P<0.05). Conversely, no statistically differences were observed in the Schirmer I test comparing the two groups(P>0.05)while no statistically differences were observed in the Schirmer I test comparing the two groups(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: OK wearing may increase the OSDI and the Oxford scores mildly, and decrease the stability of tear film. Special attention must be paid to the OK wearers with baseline and follow-up ocular surface, tear film condition, and discomfort symptoms.