Contact Lenses
Standard single-focus contact lenses do not slow the worsening of childhood myopia but specific designs do. These specific designs can both correct the blurred vision of myopia and work to slow down myopia progression. The options include soft myopia controlling contact lenses and orthokeratology (ortho-K).
Risks and safety
Contact lens wear increases the risk of eye infection compared to wearing spectacles, with the risks being:
1 per 1,000 wearers per year for reusable soft contact lenses or overnight orthokeratology lenses
1 per 5,000 wearers per year for daily disposable soft contact lenses
With proper hygiene and maintenance procedures, this risk can be well managed – especially by avoiding any contact of water with contact lenses or accessories. Other side effects of contact lenses to control myopia can be temporary adaptation to the different experience of vision, which typically resolves in 1-2 weeks.
Benefits
There are many benefits to children wearing contact lenses:
Orthokeratology contact lenses are custom gas permeable lenses that are worn overnight and removed upon waking, such that no spectacles or contact lenses are required for clear vision during the day. They can require more appointments for fitting than other types of myopia control treatment. Adaptation to the lens-on-eye feeling can take 1-2 weeks but shouldn’t affect sleep. There are significant benefits for water sports and active lifestyles, and since the contact lenses are only worn at home there is low risk of them being lost or broken during wear. Ortho-K treatment has been shown to be highly effective over the past few decades and is FDA-approved for the treatment of myopia progression.
Soft myopia controlling contact lenses are worn during waking hours. They typically require more appointments for fitting than spectacles but less than orthokeratology. Adaptation to the lens-on-eye feeling typically occurs in a few days. There are benefits in safety with daily disposables being the safest modality, and the number of lenses retained meaning loss, or breakage is less of a practical issue. The dual focus soft contact lens, Misight, has received FDA approval for managing myopia progression in individuals. If an alternative lens is deemed necessary for your specific needs, rest assured that we will carefully review and discuss all available options with you prior to any further steps being taken