CN108836626B

CN108836626B - Ametropia treatment tracking method and system

Info

Publication number: CN108836626B
Application number: CN201810378000.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: N.A.布伦南; 程序
Original assignee: Johnson and Johnson Vision Care Inc
Current assignee: Johnson and Johnson Vision Care Inc
Priority date: 2017-04-25
Filing date: 2018-04-25
Publication date: 2022-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-25
Also published as: AU2018202725A1; MX2018005044A; JP2018183590A; KR102587259B1; TW201904509A; SG10201803377PA; TWI778051B; CN108836626A; KR20180119505A; CA3002435A1; IL258706A; BR102018008241A2; AU2018202725B2; RU2703654C1; JP7175626B2; AU2024202765A1

Abstract

The invention provides a method and a system for tracking ametropia treatment. The present invention provides a system, method and computer program product for estimating the future axial elongation of an individual's eye as a way of predicting and tracking the progression of an individual's ametropia. The method comprises the following steps: receiving, via a computer interface, data relating to refractive changes of the individual over a previous predetermined time period from a reference point in time; receiving data representing an age of the individual and data representing a current axial length value of the eye as measured at a reference point in time; calculating, by the processor, a future axial elongation of the eye as a function of the age of the individual, a current axial length value of the eye as measured at the reference point in time, and the refractive change over a previous predetermined time period; an output indication of the calculated axial elongation of the eye is generated and the output indication is used to select a myopia control treatment for the individual.

Description

Ametropia treatment tracking method and system

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This patent application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/489,666 filed on 25/4/2017 and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application 15/007,660 filed on 27/1/2016.

Background

Technical Field

The present invention relates to methods and systems for determining the progression of myopia in an individual by predicting changes in the axial length of the eye of the individual based on the individual's past rate of refractive change, and for recommending myopia control treatment options for controlling refractive progression based on the predicted axial elongation.

Discussion of related Art

Common conditions that lead to reduced visual acuity include myopia and hyperopia for which the wearing of corrective lenses in the form of spectacles or rigid or soft contact lenses is prescribed. The condition is generally described as an imbalance between the length of the eye and the focus of the optical elements of the eye. A myopic eye focuses light in front of the retinal plane, while a hyperopic eye focuses light behind the retinal plane. Myopia progresses because, in general, the axial length of the eye grows longer than the focal length of the optical components of the eye, i.e., the eye grows too long. Hyperopia typically results because the axial length of the eye is too short compared to the focal length of the optical components of the eye, i.e., the eye grows insufficiently long.

Myopia has a high prevalence in many parts of the world. The most feared for this condition is the potential to develop high myopia, e.g. greater than five (5) or six (6) diopters, which would significantly affect the performance of the individual without optical aids. High myopia is also associated with an increased risk of retinal disease, cataracts, glaucoma and myopic macular degeneration (MMD; also known as myopic retinopathy) and may be a major cause of permanent blindness worldwide. For example, MMD is associated with Refractive Error (RE) to such an extent that there is no significant difference between pathological and physiological myopia and that there is no "safe" level of myopia.

The use of corrective lenses changes the overall focus of the eye by shifting focus from the front of the plane to correct myopia or from the back of the plane to correct hyperopia, respectively, so that a sharper image is formed at the retinal plane. However, the correction of this condition does not address the cause, but only is reparative or aimed at addressing the symptoms.

Most eyes do not have simple myopia or hyperopia, but rather have myopic astigmatism or hyperopic astigmatism. The astigmatic error of the focus causes the image of the point source to form two mutually perpendicular lines at different focal lengths. In the following discussion, the terms myopia and hyperopia are used to encompass only myopia and myopic astigmatism and hyperopia and hyperopic astigmatism, respectively.

Emmetropia describes a state of clear vision in which objects at infinity are in relatively sharp focus without optical correction and with the lens relaxed. In a normal or emmetropic adult eye, light from both distant and near objects, passing through the central or paraxial region of the aperture or pupil, is focused by the lens to within the eye at the near retinal plane where an inverted image is sensed. It has been observed, however, that most normal eyes have positive longitudinal spherical aberration, typically in the range of about +0.5 diopters (D) for a 5mm aperture, meaning that when the eye is focused at infinity, light rays passing through the aperture or the periphery of the pupil are focused to +0.5D in front of the retinal plane. As used herein, the measure D is the dioptric power, which is defined as the reciprocal of the focal length of the lens or optical system, in meters.

The spherical aberration of a normal eye is not constant. For example, the degree of accommodation (the change in eye light intensity produced primarily by changing the lens) causes spherical aberration to change from positive to negative.

U.S. patent No. 6,045,578 discloses that the addition of positive spherical aberration to a contact lens will reduce or control the progression of myopia. The method comprises changing the spherical aberration of the eye system, thereby changing the growth of the eye length. In other words, emmetropization may be accommodated by spherical aberration. In this process, the cornea of a myopic eye is fitted with a lens having a refractive power that increases away from the center of the lens. Paraxial light rays entering the central portion of the lens are focused on the retina of the eye, producing a sharp image of the object. The peripheral light rays entering the peripheral portion of the cornea are focused in a plane between the cornea and the retina, and positive spherical aberration of the image is generated on the retina. The positive spherical aberration produces a physiological effect on the eye that tends to inhibit eye growth, thereby reducing the tendency of myopic eyes to lengthen.

Disclosure of Invention

A system, method and computer program product for estimating future axial elongation (change in length) of an eye of an individual and using the axial elongation value as an indicator of myopia progression in the individual.

The system is computer implemented and runs a computer program product having a method of predicting an individual's eye growth (i.e., axial elongation of an individual's eye) based on the individual's past rate of myopia progression, and in particular, refractive change values detected by the individual over a past predetermined period of time, i.e., past rate of progression (e.g., past year), and other parameters.

Thus, the invention can be used to determine an estimate of the refractive change of an individual over a predetermined period of time in the past, and using this information can predict a value indicative of the change in the axial length of the eye, thereby allowing the myopia progression to be estimated over a future period of time.

These results may help clinicians detect excessive eye growth at an early stage, thereby facilitating decisions regarding prevention and/or control of myopia interventions.

According to one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method for treating myopia in an individual is provided. The method comprises the following steps: receiving, via an interface at a computer, data relating to refractive changes in an individual over a previous predetermined time period from a reference point in time; receiving, via an interface, data representing an age of the individual and data representing a current axial length value of the eye as measured at a reference point in time; calculating, by the processor, a future axial elongation of the eye as a function of the age of the individual, a current axial length value of the eye as measured at the reference point in time, and the refractive change over a previous predetermined time period; an output indication of the calculated axial elongation of the eye is generated via an interface and used to select a myopia control treatment for the individual.

In one aspect, the computer-implemented method causes receiving, at a computing device, data relating to past refractive changes of an individual; and calculating a rate of progression of the individual refractive change from the past refractive change data. This calculated rate of change is further annualized to obtain the refractive change over the past year.

Based on the rate of change progression of the refractive change determined for the individual over the past year, the computer-implemented method calculates the future axial elongation of the eye as a value Δ AL according to the following equation:

Δ AL ═ a × recipy (d) -b × age + c × axial length-d

Wherein a, b and c are respective coefficients; d is a constant value in mm, RECIPY represents the refractive change in diopters, age represents the age of the individual in years, and axial length is in mm.

Based on the calculated AL for the individual, the implemented method may recommend ametropia control treatment, such as a prescription specific to the use of the myopia control ophthalmic lens or myopia control contact lens of the individual.

According to another aspect of the invention, a computer system for treating myopia in an individual is provided. The system comprises: a memory for storing instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor executing the stored instructions to: receiving, via an interface at a server, data relating to a refractive change of the individual over a previous predetermined time period from a reference point in time; receiving, via an interface, data representing an age of the individual and data representing a current axial length value of the eye as measured at a reference point in time; calculating a future axial elongation of the eye based on the age of the individual, the current axial length value of the eye as measured at the reference point in time, and the refractive change over a previous predetermined period of time; generating an output indication of the calculated axial elongation of the eye via an interface and using the output indication to select a myopia control treatment for the individual.

In another aspect, a computer program product for performing operations is provided. The computer program product comprises a storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for executing a method executed by the processing circuit. The method is the same as listed above.

Drawings

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a computer-implemented system for estimating future axial elongation of an individual's eye;

figure 2 illustrates a method for suggesting a myopia treatment option based on an estimated future axial elongation of an eye of an individual, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a representative hardware environment for practicing at least one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to methods and systems for tracking the progression of ametropia of an individual over time by estimating the future axial elongation (change in length) of the eye of the individual and using the axial elongation value as an indicator of the progression of myopia of the individual.

In one embodiment, a computer-implemented system runs a computer program product having a method for predicting eye growth (i.e., axial elongation of an individual's eye) of an individual based on past rates of myopia progression for the individual based on refractive change values detected by the individual over a past predetermined period of time, i.e., over a past year, and other parameters.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for estimating the progression of future myopia based on predicted axial elongation of an individual's eye, thereby providing a treatment option to reduce, slow, eliminate, and potentially reverse the progression of myopia in an individual.

FIG. 1 illustrates a computer-implemented system for estimating future axial elongation of an individual's eye and determining myopia control treatment. In some aspects, the system 100 may include a computing device, a mobile device, or a server. In some aspects, computing device 100 may comprise, for example, a personal computer, laptop, tablet, smart device, smart phone, or any other similar computing device for receiving input data; for performing data analysis, such as one or more of the method steps discussed herein, and for outputting data. The input data or output data may be stored or maintained in at least one database 130. Input and/or output data may be accessed through a software application 170 installed on a computer 100, such as a computer in an Eye Care Practitioner (ECP) office; by a downloadable software application (app) on the smart device 121; or a secure web site 125 or network link accessed through a computer via network 99. The input data and/or the output data may be displayed on a graphical user interface of a computer or smartphone.

In particular, computing system 100 may include one or

more hardware processors

152A,152B, memory 154 (e.g., to store operating system and application program instructions), network interface 156, display device 158, input device 159, and any other features common to computing devices. In some aspects, the computing system 100 may be, for example, any computing device configured to communicate with a website 125 or a web-based or cloud-based server 120 over a public or private communications network 99. Further, as shown as part of the system 100, historical data relating to individual refractive changes captured from clinician measurements and including associated myopia control treatments is obtained and stored in an attached or remote memory storage device, such as database 130.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the

processors

152A,152B may comprise, for example, microcontrollers, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), or any other processor configured to perform various operations. The

processors

152A,152B may be configured to execute instructions as described below. These instructions may be stored in memory storage 154, for example, as a programming module.

Memory 154 may include non-transitory computer-readable media, e.g., in the form of volatile memory, such as Random Access Memory (RAM) and/or cache memory. Memory 154 may include, for example, other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile storage media. By way of non-limiting example only, memory 154 may include a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof.

Network interface 156 is configured to transmit data or information to web server 120 and receive data or information from web server 120, e.g., via a wired or wireless connection. For example, network interface 156 may utilize wireless technologies and communication protocols, such as

WIFI (e.g., 802.11a/b/G/n), cellular networks (e.g., CDMA, GSM, M2M, and 3G/4 GLTE), near field communication systems, satellite communications, communications via a Local Area Network (LAN), via a Wide Area Network (WAN), or any other form of communication that allows computing device 100 to send information to server 120 or receive information from server 120.

For example, the display 158 may include, for example, a computer monitor, a television, a smart television, a display screen integrated into an individual computing device (such as a laptop computer, a smart phone, a smart watch, a virtual reality headset, a smart wearable device, or any other mechanism for displaying information to a user). In some aspects, the display 158 may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), electronic paper/electronic ink display, organic led (oled) display, or other similar display technology. In some aspects, the display 158 may be touch sensitive and may also serve as an input device.

Input devices 159 may include, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touch-sensitive display, keypad, microphone, or other similar input device, or any other input device that may be used alone or together to provide a user with the ability to interact with computing device 100.

With respect to the ability of the computer system 100 to calculate the axial length variation of an individual's eye, the system 100 includes: a memory 160 configured to store data relating to past refractive changes/aberrations of the current individual, such as data received from a clinician over a defined period of time (e.g., the past year). In one embodiment, this data may be stored in local memory 160, i.e., local to the computer or mobile device system 100, or may be retrieved from a remote server 120 over a network. Data relating to the current individual's past refractive changes may be accessed via a remote network connection for input into the locally connected memory storage 160 of the system 100.

In one embodiment, the computing system 100 provides a technical platform employing programmed processing modules stored in the device memory 154 that are executable via one or

more processors

152A,152B to provide the system with the ability to calculate the future axial elongation length of the individual's eye based on an input set of historical refractive change data received for the individual.

In one embodiment, the program modules stored in memory 154 may include operating system software 170 and software application modules 175 for running the methods herein, which may include associated mechanisms such as APIs (application programming interfaces) for specifying how the various software modules interact, web services to control operations for performing axial length change calculations, and the like. One program module 180 stored in device memory 154 may include a "recopy" calculator 190 for determining a refractive change value ("recopy") indicative of the current individual over a past time period (e.g., one year). Another program module 190 stored in device memory 154 may include program code that provides various data and processing instructions for an algorithm run by the processor to predict an axial length change ("AL") value for the individual based on the RECIPY refractive index change value for the individual. Based on the predicted axial length change ("AL") value for the individual, another module 195 may be invoked to suggest one or more treatment options to the clinician, individual, or any user, such as a myopia-type contact lens that may be used to inhibit or prevent refractive changes or reduce the rate of refractive progression in the individual.

Fig. 2 illustrates a computer-implemented method 200 executed at the system 100 for estimating a future axial elongation of an eye of an individual and suggesting a treatment option for a myope based on the estimated future axial elongation of the eye of the individual according to one embodiment. The subject may include a child aged about 6 to 14 years. However, the methods herein may also be applied to younger children, older adolescents, or young adults.

In one embodiment, the method receives data representing refractive values measured for the individual over a period of time at 205. For example, the system 100 of FIG. 1 receives data from memory that represents the refractive changes of an individual over a period of time. In one example, the period of time may be one or more years prior to the reference point in time, e.g., the current day. Further, at 210, the system of FIG. 1 receives characteristics about the individual including at least the age of the individual. At 215, the system 100 receives current measurement data of the axial length of the eye. If this data is not available, the clinician or ECP may be prompted by the system display interface 158 to acquire or make a current measurement of the axial length of the individual eye using an ultrasound scan, partial coherence interferometry, optical low coherence reflectometry, swept frequency optical coherence tomography, or other measurement technique. From the data representing the measured refractive values for the individual over a period of time, at 220, the system invokes the RECIPY calculator module 180 to calculate a refractive rate of change value for the individual over a period of time. From the annual rate of change, the system calculates the "RECIPY" ametropia change of the previous year. For example, if the ametropia data is known 2 years before the current date and the diopter change is-2D, then the RECIPY value will be-1D, where D is diopter. Although it is usually measured in clinical practice as a refractive error change, future progression is captured as axial elongation, since this parameter is more sensitive than monitoring refractive error in progression and is most relevant to the development of myopia-related changes, such as myopic retinopathy.

Although myopia progression may be characterized by a change in the refractive error of the individual, according to this embodiment myopia progression is characterized by a change in the axial length of the eye of the individual. Continuing to step 225 of FIG. 2, the system 100 runs the axial length change calculator module 190 to predict the axial length change of the individual's eye. Equation 1) below represents the predicted change in axial length "Δ AL" based on the aged past refractive change rate "RECIPY" value, the age data received at step 210, and the axial length received at 215 at the time the prediction was made.

Δ AL ═ f (RECIPY, age, axial length)

In particular, the method of manufacturing a semiconductor device,

Δ AL ═ a (mm/D) × recipy (D) ] -b (mm/year) × age (number of years) ] + [ c × axial length (mm) ] -D (mm) (1)

Wherein: Δ AL is the estimated axial elongation of the eye, e.g., within 12 months after the reference time point and measured in millimeters, RECIPY is the ametropic change (or relative amount, where refractive data is not particularly applicable within the first 12 months) of the previous year and measured in diopters D, "age" is the age of the child in years, "axial length" is the axial length of the eye as measured in mm at the reference time point. In one embodiment, the coefficient value a is-0.12051 +/-0.05162 (mm/D); coefficient value b 0.03954+/-0.00323 (mm/year); coefficient value c is 0.036819 +/-0.001098; and the value d is 0.35111+/-0.025809 (mm).

It is to be understood that in another embodiment, an equivalent of equation 1) may be implemented for predicting future axial elongation of the eye based on previous refractive changes, current axial length, and age of the patient. This prediction of future refractive changes may use past axial elongation measurements as input parameters. This prediction of future refractive changes may also output future predicted refractive error changes. Furthermore, the form of equation 1) may be modified to receive additional input parameters corresponding to other potential predictors of ametropia progression, including but not limited to: biometric data of the patient or patient's eye, such as corneal radius, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, lens light intensity, vitreous cavity depth, or the like, or behavioral aspects of the patient, including but not limited to the amount of time involved in certain activities, including outdoor activities, levels of close-range work activities (e.g., reading hours per day or week or month, or time spent learning or reading, or time spent on digital devices), or information about the patient's genetic makeup, including but not limited to: some myopic parents or siblings, the refractive state of a patient's parents or siblings, the race, ethnicity, gender of the patient, or other parameters including, but not limited to, geographic location, such as the degree of country/region or urbanization, or any other type of demographic or environmental variable believed to be related to refractive progression.

In one embodiment, developing a model for predicting future delta AL changes in refractive progression based on data from a control group in a clinical study yields equation 1). In one example study, 100 subjects in the control group received a follow-up for 2 years, and the system obtained a cycloplegic autorefract, axial length data available at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months, and gender, race, and ethnic data of the subjects. The first 12 months of data was used as a previous history and the second 12 months of data was used as future progress, with the 12 months of the exam set as the date (i.e., the "reference" time point) for which progress was predicted during the second 12 months. The subjects included in this data set were children between the ages of 8 and 15 (mean ± SD ═ 9.8 ± 1.3 years), with baseline optimal spherical refraction between-0.75D and-5.00D and astigmatism less than or equal to 1.00D. 51% of subjects were female and 93% were asians. Only the right eye of the subject was included in the dataset for analysis. The mean value (. + -. SD) of "RECIPY" for this data set was-0.64. + -. 0.52D over the diopter change (range: -2.25 to + 0.50D). The axial elongation during the first 12 months was 0.25. + -. 0.16mm (range: -0.18 to 0.65 mm). The mean + -SD of equivalent spheroscopes for cycloplegic autorefracts was-3.35 + -1.26D (range: -1.37 to-6.87D) at the beginning of year 2, and the mean + -SD of axial lengths was 24.86 + -0.87 mm (range: 23.07 to 26.78 mm).

Available data include RECIPY, refractive error and axial length at the reference time point, gender, ethnicity, and axial elongation during the second 12 months. Performing multivariate analysis and generating formula 1) to correlate and obtain the variables:

Δ AL [ -0.12051(mm/D) × recipy (D) ] - [0.03954 (mm/year) × age (year) ] + [0.036819 × axial length (mm) ] -0.35111 (mm).

Statistical information about the fit is shown in table 1 below, where F and P represent statistical values that determine the statistical significance resulting from performing the analysis of variance. Based on the smaller P values, it can be seen that RECIPY, age, and axial length are significant predictor values.

TABLE 1

In one embodiment, a fast progressor may be considered to have an axial elongation above, for example, 0.20 mm. In this case, the algorithm of formula 1) showed a sensitivity of 0.87 and a specificity of 0.58. In one embodiment, the average progression for those predicted to be fast progressors is 0.301 mm/year and twice the average progression (0.146 mm/year) for those predicted to be chronic progressors, calculated on this scale. If the cutoff value of the algorithm, 0.23mm, is used to predict those patients who will progress beyond 0.20mm, the sensitivity is 0.79 and the specificity is 0.71.

Table 2 below shows some selected example predictions of axial elongation for the second year at the reference time point for the given data, i.e., age at the reference time point, axial length at the reference time point, and determined RECIPY value.

TABLE 2

Returning to fig. 2, based on the predicted future AL change in refractive progression, a particular type of soft lens or orthokeratology treatment regimen may be suggested. In one embodiment, at 230 in fig. 2, the system 100 may determine an optical device, such as a soft contact lens, having a suitable refractive design based on the predicted change in Δ AL over the next year for use as a myopia treatment for the individual in view of the predicted progression of the individual's myopia. In one embodiment, the treatment options may include a multifocal contact lens having positive spherical aberration and increasing refractive power away from the lens center, thereby forming an amount of peripheral "blur" such that the eye is occluded, inhibiting growth of the eye, in a known manner. In other embodiments, it may be determined that eye drops or other drug treatment regimens administered to an individual may be suitable for reducing the progression of myopia; or may determine a time regimen to spend outdoors to slow or prevent myopia progression. Any available treatment options that may reduce, retard, eliminate, or even reverse the progression of myopia in an individual now or in the future are determined at 230. At 235 of fig. 2, the system may automatically generate recommendations for the clinician via the system display interface 158, whether connected locally to the system or for communication over a network connection to a remote computer.

In one embodiment, the display may be a graphical user interface of a computer or smart device (e.g., tablet, smartphone, personal digital assistant, wearable digital device, gaming device, television). In particular embodiments, the displays may be synchronized on the eye care provider's computer or smart device and the user's computer or smart device.

Fast progressor prediction

In one embodiment, the system 100 may further identify a myope that may be a fast progressor. Detecting such myopes may help to achieve treatment regimens and design clinical study goals for myopia control. Since it has been shown that the history of rapid progression is a factor similar to or better predicted than age (a well-known risk factor) when assessing the likelihood of rapid progression in the future, an algorithm comprising equation 1) of historical refractive progression (RECIPY) can be used to predict rapid progression in the future.

In another example: system 100 receives Cycloplegic Autorefract (CAR) data and axial length data (e.g., obtained by partial interferometry) obtained over a period of time including baseline, 1 year and 2 years for 100 children 8 to 15 years of age with-0.75 to-5.00D myopia. Multivariate regression analysis with right eye axial elongation during the second year was consistent with multivariate analysis by previous year Refractive Error Change (RECIPY), age, gender, ethnicity, 1 year axial length, and 1 year refractive error. Axial elongation is chosen as the dependent variable because it has better sensitivity in identifying progression, while past refractive changes are used as the predictor variable.

Examples of p-value analysis results for RECIPY, age, 1 year axial length factor are: RECIPY (p <0.0001), age (p <0.001), 1-year axial length (p <0.05), and RECIPY age interaction (p <0.05), indicating that all of these factors contribute significantly to predicting 1 to 2 years of axial elongation. Gender, ethnicity, and 1 year refractive error are not contributing significantly to predicting axial elongation. The model fit accounts for 57% of the second year variance in axial elongation. Using a 0.2mm standard, the model has a sensitivity of 0.87 and a specificity of 0.58 in predicting fast progressors. By this criterion, the average progression for those classified as fast progressors (0.301 mm/year) is twice the average progression for those predicted as chronic progressors (0.146 mm/year).

Therefore, the calculation of Δ AL according to equation 1) provides a good prediction of future axial elongation. This information can be used to guide the design of myopia control treatments and clinical studies.

The entire contents and disclosure of applicant's co-pending U.S. patent application 15/007,660 are incorporated herein by reference, as if fully set forth herein, in detail a system and method for predicting and tracking the progression over time of an individual's refractive error. The system and method are applied to optimally determine the course of myopia, and for ECP, to assess over time whether the course of therapy applied to the individual has/is likely to be effective. Thus allowing ECP, parents and patients to better understand the possible long-term benefits of a particular myopia control treatment.

Based on the system, method and computer program product, the present invention may assist ECPs in selecting a type of myopia control treatment and/or ophthalmic lens for a child based on the calculated future axial elongation of the eye and the resulting expected myopia progression.

The method described in the co-pending U.S. patent application 15/007,660 system may be implemented for ECPs to demonstrate and track the effect of treatment on slowing myopia progression and to allow individuals to understand the long-term benefits of myopia control treatment. The principles described in co-pending U.S. patent application 15/007,660 may be applied to track myopia control treatments to slow the progression of myopia based on determining predicted axial elongation values according to equation 1).

Thus, a tracking method and system for estimating the likely axial elongation of an individual's eye relative to a reference population over a predetermined period of time in the future may be used to: so that 1) the ECP can predict and track axial elongation (and hence refraction) progression and demonstrate and track the effect of treatment on slowing myopia progression, 2) the patient or parent can understand the long-term benefits of myopia control treatment.

Although the principles described herein relate to myopia, the invention is not so limited and may be applied to other refractive errors, such as hyperopia or astigmatism.

Based on the disclosure, one skilled in the art will appreciate that aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, various aspects of the invention may take the form of: an entirely hardware embodiment, a processor operating in a software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a "circuit," module, "or" system. Furthermore, various aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable media having computer-readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer-readable media may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this disclosure, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in combinations of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C + +, C #, Transact-SQL, XML, PHP, and the like, and conventional program development languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software installation package, or partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN), or the remote computer may be connected to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet service provider).

The computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions or acts specified.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the specified function/act.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the specified functions/acts.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a representative hardware environment for practicing at least one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The diagram illustrates a hardware configuration of an information processing/computer system according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. The system includes at least one processor or Central Processing Unit (CPU) 10. The CPU 10 is interconnected via a system bus 12 to various devices such as a Random Access Memory (RAM)14, a Read Only Memory (ROM)16, and an input/output (I/O) adapter 18. The I/O adapter 18 may connect to peripheral devices such as disk units 11 and tape drives 13, or other program storage devices that are readable by the system. The system can read the inventive instructions on the program storage device and follow these instructions to perform the method of at least one embodiment of the invention. The system also includes a user interface adapter 19 that connects a keyboard 15, mouse 17, speaker 24, microphone 22, and/or other user interface devices such as a touch screen device (not shown) to the bus 12 to gather user input. In addition, a communication adapter 20 connects the bus 12 to a data processing network 25, and a display adapter 21 connects the bus 12 to a display device 23, which may be implemented as an output device such as a monitor screen, printer, or transmitter.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, "communicating" includes an indirect physical or wireless connection through one or more additional components (or through a network), or a direct physical and wireless connection between two components described as communicating.

While there has been shown and described what are believed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is apparent that changes may be made in the specific designs and methods described and illustrated by those skilled in the art and that such changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention is not limited to the specific constructions described and shown, but should be constructed to conform to all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A computer system for treating myopia in an individual, the computer system comprising:

a memory for storing instructions; and

a processor coupled to the memory, the processor executing the stored instructions to perform the following:

receiving, via an interface at a server, data relating to refractive changes over a previous predetermined time period of the individual from a reference point in time;

receiving, via the interface, data representing an age of the individual and data representing a current axial length value of the eye measured at the reference point in time;

predicting a future axial elongation of the eye from the age of the individual, the current axial length value of the eye measured at the reference time point, and the refractive change over the previous predetermined time period;

generating, via the interface, an output indication of the predicted future axial elongation of the eye, an

Using the output indication to select a myopia control treatment for the individual.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the stored instructions further configure the processor to:

receiving data relating to past refractive changes of the individual; and

calculating a rate of progression of change in refractive change of the individual from the past refractive change data; and

annual recording of the calculated rate of change to obtain the refractive change over the past year.

3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the myopia control treatment comprises one or more of: myopia control ophthalmic lenses, myopia control contact lenses and soft contact lenses, orthokeratology or pharmacotherapeutic regimens.

4. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the processor executes further instructions to:

comparing the calculated axial elongation of the eye to a predetermined threshold; and

identifying an individual as a fast progressor when the calculated axial elongation of the eye is greater than the predetermined threshold; and

selecting a myopia control treatment for the rapid progressor.

5. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the calculated axial elongation of the eye is a value AL, the processor executing further instructions to:

Δ AL was calculated according to the following formula:

Δ AL = a × recipy (d) -b × age + c × axial length-d

6. The computer system of claim 5, wherein a = -0.12051+/-0.05162 (mm/D); coefficient value ofb= 0.03954+/-0.00323 (mm/year); coefficient value ofc = 0.036819 +/-0.001098; and valued = 0.35111(mm)+/-0.025809。

7. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon program instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

receiving, via an interface at a computer, data relating to refractive changes in an individual over a previous predetermined time period from a reference point in time;

predicting, by the processor, a future axial elongation of the eye as a function of the age of the individual, the current axial length value of the eye measured at the reference time point, and the refractive change over the previous predetermined time period; and

8. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to further perform the operations of:

receiving data relating to past refractive changes of the individual; and

9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein the myopia control treatment comprises a myopia control ophthalmic lens, orthokeratology, or a drug treatment regimen.

10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the myopia-controlling ophthalmic lens comprises a myopia-controlling contact lens.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the calculated axial elongation of the eye is a value AL, and wherein the value AL is calculated according to:

Δ AL = a × recipy (d) -b × age + c × axial length-d

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein a = -0.12051+/-0.05162 (mm/D); coefficient value ofb= 0.03954+/-0.00323 (mm/year); coefficient value ofc = 0.036819 +/-0.001098; and valued = 0.35111(mm)+/-0.025809。