According to Doctor Jeffrey J. Wallin, four different studies within the last 5 years have revealed that contacts with a multifocal focus can help the slow the progress of myopia in children. It is part of a good overall treatment plan. He says that this treatment method is effective because it both helps to focus light around the retina as well as directly on the eye’s retina.
The studies show that multifocal style lenses seem to be better than bifocal lenses, which appear to only mildly help slow down myopia, and at least as good as orthokeratology lenses, which are worn while sleeping to help reform the eye. In fact, there was a 25% reduction in the myopia’s progression as well as a 31% reduction in axial elongation over a 2 year period. According to the research, the effects became noticeable when the test participants wore the multifocal lenses for 5 hours per day. In addition, if they put it on for 7 hours per day, the positive effects increased as well.
However, at 8 hours per day, the positive effect increase was not as great. Myopia most often affects children between 8 - 16 years old. The researchers surmise that if multifocal lenses treatment begins earlier, the positive effects will be greater. However, they do not know which type of kids would get the greatest positive effects from treatment.
Optometrists and families are becoming more and more accustomed with young children sporting contact lenses. In fact, studies show that young children do not have as much troubles with contacts as college aged people. In addition, on top of the contact lenses helping the children’s vision, they are also good for their self-esteem.
In general, they feel better wearing contacts then wearing glasses. At this time there aren’t any contact lenses specifically designed to treat myopia. However, make sure to focus on multifocal lenses that are of a “center distance” design as these are the best at helping control the myopia.
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