Vertical and Horizontal Thickness Profiles of the Corneal Epithelium and Bowman's Layer after Orthokeratology

Abstract

Overnight wear of OK lenses caused the central corneal epithelium to thin in both the vertical and horizontal meridians, while the midperipheral nasal and temporal epithelium became thicker and the superior midperipheral epithelium became thinner. The thickness of the central or midperipheral Bowman's layer in either meridian did not change. Improved vision acuity after overnight OK lens wear can be attributed to changes in the corneal epithelium and not Bowman's layer.