Slow Myopia Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses

Myopia Control - Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses / Specialised Soft Lenses

Myopia (short-sightedness) is a condition of the eye when rays of light are brought to a focus in front of the retina because either the optical power of the eye is too great, or the eye is too long.

Research has shown that myopia can be changed when rigid gas permeable lenses or specialised soft lenses are fitted. The biggest jump in myopia occurs in children at about 12 years old, although it is present in about 6% of the population between the ages of seven and eleven years. A research project was carried out at the University of Houston Contact Lens Institute where 100 children with myopia between the ages of eight and thirteen were fitted with rigid gas permeable lenses. After three years, more than half of the children were still wearing their lenses and it was found that the increase in their myopia was only about a third of the increase of those in a group wearing spectacles. The study showed that the progress of the myopia was slowed down and also this slowing down continued even if lens wear was discontinued for a period. In fact, in some cases, the progress of myopia was halted.

It is thought that the rigid lenses stabilise the myopia by altering the image contour and restraining the axial elongation of the eye. Some types of soft contact lenses can provide a similar but less marked effect.

There are, of course, several factors to be considered in fitting young children with contact lenses:

Both the parents and the child must be educated and well motivated to the challenge of wearing contact lenses.
Proper hygiene and handling procedures must be thoroughly explained and demonstrated - quite a responsibility for a child - and in this, the parents must be prepared to be totally supportive.
All should be aware that, occasionally, other forms of optical correction may be appropriate.
The lenses may feel strange at first, but this is normal and after wearing time is built up, they will feel comfortable.
Aftercare visits to the practitioner are of paramount importance and should never be missed.

It is also of course, a fact that not only do rigid gas permeable lenses (or specialised soft lenses) assist in the correction of myopia, they also impart of feeling of “well being” to the patient with improved all round vision, freedom to enjoy sports and other activities and most importantly, the cosmetic benefits give added confidence.

If your child is short-sighted or has some other vision defect, do seek the advice of your practitioner - he or she will advise you if contact lenses can help.

Christopher Kerr FSMC, FBOA, FAAO, FC.Optom. Cert. in Ocular Therapeutics (City University)

Combines teaching and research with private practice. Clinical consultant to major industrial and contact lens companies, Health Authorities and many professional bodies. Chairman, Croydon Local Optometric Committee, President British contact Lens Association and previously Senior Optometrist and Director of Contact Lens Services at Mayday University Hospital. Editor: Contact Lens Yearbook. International speaker, broadcaster and author on general optometric and contact lens-related topics. Mayday Healthcare Trust accredited paediatric optometrist.

You can read a recent lecture by given by Christopher at the The Royal Society of Medicine here.

Christopher Kerr & Associates Tel: 020 8688 5076 / 020 8681 2008 Fax: 020 8688 8005
37 LONDON ROAD, WEST CROYDON, CR0 2RE

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