A multi-site study investigating the myopic progression of children has disclosed that wearing soft contact lenses does not increase myopia progression more than other vision correction options.
Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, the study tracked the myopic progression of 484 children aged between eight and 11 randomly assigned to wear spectacles or contact lenses. The research revealed that there is no clinically meaningful difference between the two forms of vision correction for the treatment of myopia.
Feeling that the results should give practitioners greater confidence to prescribe contact lens to younger children, Johnson & Johnson cited further research that shows eye care professionals can often think children under 12 years of age are not responsible enough to care for their contact lenses.
David Ruston, Johnson & Johnson UK's director of professional affairs commented: 'Children as young as eight years old who need vision correction are, in many cases, as capable as teenagers at wearing and caring for contact lenses and their parents should be offered, where appropriate, the option of contact lens wear after an eye examination.'