Shady Grove Eye and Vision Care Dr. Alan N. Glazier Optometrist

For Appointment or General Info, Contact Us At:

1>5200 Shady Grove Road Suite 100 Rockville, MD 20850 Tel: (301) 670-1212 Fax: (301) 216-9692 > aglazier@youreyesite.com

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Myopia Control - Stopping vision from changing

Adolescents who are myopic (nearsighted) typically have "progressive myopia" - that is, nearsightedness that gets progressively greater over time. Some research studies have shown that wearing oxygen permeable contact lenses (RGP's), unlike soft contact lenses, can help control this myopia. Although use of oxygen permeables won't cure or stop progressive myopia, indications are that they may slow its growth. In these studies, myopia didn't progress as fast - or as much - in children wearing oxygen permeable contact lenses, compared with children who wore soft contact lenses or glasses.

Many experienced practitioners explain that they have had very good experience with the maintenance of corneal curvatures with oxygen permeable lenses. An example is a man now in his thirties who had been fit with oxygen permeable lenses at age 8. His parents were extremely concerned about their child and his ability to learn at school. Their own spectacle refractions exceeded -15.00 diopters (a prescription of -15.00) and the child could expect the same condition later in life. Early fitting of oxygen permeable lenses has maintained a refractive error of -1.50. Another example is a very close friend who, as a 9 year old child had been fit in gas permeable contact lenses. She is now in her thirties and has had negligible change in nearsightedness over the years. What change she has had has been in astigmatism instead of nearsightedness, which tends to be genetic and cannot be controlled by any lenses. I have instituted this therapy on many of my own patients with great success. It works especially well for young adults and has shown benefits for adults in their 20's and 30's as well with progressively changing vision.

Although there have been several studies on myopia control with positive results for oxygen permeable contact lenses, the results have not been entirely conclusive. Two studies are currently underway that are expected to provide definitive answers. One is taking place at the Singapore Eye Research Institute. Early results from this study point to an overwhelming success rate in the reduction of myopia. Asian use of this procedure is growing rapidly as a result.

Another study, partially funded by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health follows about 110 children over a three-year period, utilizing control groups of soft contact lens and spectacle wearers. Again, information from the National Eye Institute study is very encouraging at this point, however we will have to wait for the final report to confirm these findings.

Gas Permeable contact lenses allow more oxygen to reach the eye unlike soft lenses. Three to six times more oxygen reaches the cornea of the eye with these rigid materials than the soft materials.

For more information or questions about myopia control or orthokeratology, please contact Dr. Glazier by e-mail or call the office to schedule an appointment. Please tell your friends about our website!

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