A national study is investigating whether a special type of gas permeable contact lenses called corneal reshaping lenses can help prevent nearsightedness (myopia) from worsening in children. The SMART (Stabilization of Myopia by Accelerated Reshaping Technique) Trial, headed by Chicago researchers Drs. S. Barry Eiden and Robert Davis, is examining 300 teens’ vision and children’s vision in a five-year period.
Half of the participants are in a control group and wear conventional soft contacts during the day. The testing group does not wear eyeglasses or contacts during the day, but wears customized corneal reshaping therapy lenses during sleep.
Although only on its second year, the trial’s current results are promising. The group that wore the ortho-k lenses at night showed no progression in myopia at the end of the first year. The control group had an average myopia progression of 0.5 diopters in prescription strength.
Further study as the SMART trial continues will help determine the long-term effectiveness of corneal reshaping lenses at controlling and reversing childhood myopia.
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