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Soft contact lens wear does not increase myopia progression in children, according to a study presented at last week’s annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

The multi-site study tracked the myopic progression of 484 children aged eight to 11 randomly assigned to wear glasses or contact lenses. It found no clinically meaningful difference between the two forms of vision correction for the treatment of myopia.

Researchers claim their findings further dispel ‘a long held myth’ that soft contact lenses increase myopia progression more than other vision correction options.

‘Children as young as eight years old who require vision correction are capable of contact lens wear and this study confirms that they can be fitted safely with soft contact lenses,’ said Dr Jeffrey J Walline of Ohio State University College of Optometry.

‘Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that contact lenses provide a number of quality of life benefits to children beyond simply correcting their myopia,’ he added. ‘The combined body of research should give both doctors and parents greater confidence in presenting children with the option of contact lens wear when vision correction is required.’

The randomised, single-masked, trial was conducted from September 2003 to October 2007 at five clinical centres in the US. Children were randomly selected to wear contact lenses or spectacles for three years.

The study was funded by Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care.

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