US research endorses CL wear for children

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.