Myopia Control

Very few young children have myopia (nearsightedness). Onset is typically after age 7 or 8, but once it starts, it invariably increases over time. Multiple studies around the world, consistently find that myopia increases at an average rate of half a diopter (0.50D) per year during adolescence. Those who become myopic at an earlier age, inevitably end up with higher prescriptions than those who develop it later, simply because they have more years to progress. In years past, little concern was shown for the cause, development or control of myopia. After all, it was not a terrible “disease” and was easily corrected by glasses, so what was the big deal?

In fact, myopia can be a ‘big deal’. Higher amounts of myopia are associated with increased risk for retinal detachments and glaucoma. Certain occupations are not available to those with poor vision. Many people feel ‘handicapped’ by the need to wear glasses, whether for sports, work, or life in general. Starting in the late 1980’s with radial keratotomy, many people have been willing to spend a lot of money and undergo sometimes risky procedures to be free of their dependence on glasses. Even modern laser surgery is not free of risk. It is certainly time to evaluate the causes of myopia, and means to slow or prevent its progress. Several studies support the notion that rigid gas permeable (RGP) contacts have a significant effect.

In a large study published in a major journal, children fit with RGP’s had their myopia increase by an average of 0.16 D per year. In this study as in others, about 15% of children wearing lenses increased by 0.48D per year which is nearly identical to the rate of those children that wore glasses. The other 85% had an increase that averaged only 0.08D per year. Therefore, we can conclude that 85% of children fit with standard RGP lenses can expect to have their myopia increase at a rate of only one-sixth that of those wearing eyeglasses alone. Soft lenses won’t offer any such benefit.

Much like braces on teeth provides both a cosmetic benefit and improved oral health, RGP’s provide more than just the cosmetic benefit of no glasses, but long-term beneficial effects on visual status. Since myopia almost certainly will advance in adolescence without lenses, and the vast majority can expect to realize a benefit of wearing the lenses, there really is nothing to lose.

These above mentioned studies were performed prior to the development of modern reverse geometry ortho-k lenses. It is believed that AOK lenses in children will offer all the normal benefits of ortho-k, plus reduce the progression of myopia to even less than the 0.08D seen with standard RGP’s. Studies are currently underway to confirm these expectations.

Please speak with one of our doctors in Nanaimo, Ladysmith or Qualicum Beach if you have any questions about RGP’s and especially AOK lenses for children.