![]() In October 2012, researchers in Hong Kong published yet another study of the effect of ortho-k contact lenses on controlling myopia progression in children. In 2012, the same researchers published the results of a similar five-year study of 43 short sighted children that showed wearing ortho-k contact lenses overnight suppressed axial elongation of the eye, compared with wearing conventional glasses for myopia correction.Īlso in 2012, researchers in Spain published study data that revealed children 6 to 12 years of age with -0.75 to -4.00 D of myopia who wore ortho-k contact lenses for two years had less myopia progression and reduced axial elongation of their eyes than similar children who wore eyeglasses for myopia correction. The study authors concluded that overnight orthokeratology suppressed elongation of the eyes of children in this study, suggesting ortho-k might slow the progression of myopia, compared with wearing regular glasses. The average age of children participating in the research was about 12 years at the beginning of the study, and children in both groups had essentially the same amount of pre-existing myopia (-2.57 D) and the same axial (front-to-back) eyeball length (24.7 mm).Īt the end of the study, children in the glasses group had a significantly greater increase in the mean axial length of their eyes than children who wore the ortho-k contact lenses. In 2011, researchers from Japan presented a study that evaluated the effect of ortho-k lenses on eyeball elongation in children, which is a factor associated with myopia progression.Ī total of 92 short sighted children completed the two-year study: 42 wore overnight ortho-k lenses and 50 wore conventional glasses during the day. Many eye care practitioners refer to these lenses as "corneal reshaping lenses" or "corneal refractive therapy (CRT)" lenses rather than ortho-k lenses, though the lens designs may be similar. Evidence suggests short sighted kids who undergo several years of orthokeratology may end up with less myopia as adults, compared with children who wear glasses or regular contact lenses during the peak years for myopia progression. Orthokeratology is the use of specially designed gas permeable contact lenses that are worn during sleep at night to temporarily correct short-sightedness and other vision problems so glasses and contact lenses aren't needed during waking hours.īut some opticians also use "ortho-k" lenses to control myopia progression in children. Here's a summary of each of these treatments and of recent myopia control research: Orthokeratology Why should you be interested in myopia control? Because slowing the progression of myopia may keep your child from developing high levels of short sightedness that require thick, corrective glasses and have been associated with serious eye problems later in life, such as early cataracts or even a detached retina.Ĭurrently, three types of treatment are showing promise for controlling myopia: These treatments can induce changes in the structure and focusing of the eye to reduce stress and fatigue associated with the development and progression of short sightedness. What is myopia control?Īlthough an outright cure for short sightedness has not been discovered, your optician can now offer a number of treatments that may be able to slow the progression of myopia. And there's good news: A number of recent studies suggest it may indeed be possible to at least control myopia by slowing its progression during childhood and among teenagers. If your child has myopia ( short or nearsightedness), you're probably wondering if there is a cure - or at least something that can be done to slow its progression so your child doesn't need stronger glasses year after year.įor years, eye care practitioners and researchers have been wondering the same thing. ![]()
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