
Can children wear contact lenses?
Children and Contact Lens Wear
Current literatures show:
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Wearing contact lenses is a safe and effective way to correct refractive error
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Clinical studies have shown young children (6-12) are capable of handling & wearing Contact Lenses22
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Contact lenses have social and visual benefits for children23
- Following Self-Perception Profile are likely to improve with contact lens-
Physical appearance
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Athletic competence
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Social acceptance self-perception
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No Clinical Differences in the Fitting of Children and Adults

Centration (horizontal) |
Lens Coverage (temp. conjunctival overlap) |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Age | 23 ± 2 (19-25) |
12 ± 2 (9-16) |
23 ± 2 (19-25) |
12 ± 2 (9-16) |
n | 20 | 16 | 20 | 16 |
Ave ± SD (mm) | -0.07 ± 0.16 | -0.10 ± 0.12 | 1.24 ± 0.31 | 1.14 ± 0.16 |
p-value | 0.61 | 0.09 |
Proclear 1 Day Fitting Data23
There is no statistically nor clinically significant difference on lens fit.
Will Children Notice ActivControl™ Technology?

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Children may report a slight shadowing of images when first introduced to ActivControl™ Technology due to the myopic defocus
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Amount of shadowing varies individually and generally will reduces over the first week of lens wear
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Majority report the shadowing decreases over the first week of wear
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The slight shadowing does not affect visual acuity or reading performance (MNRead)23
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Children typically do not find the shadowing bothersome after adaptation
(N=47) | Reading speed (sec) | Reading VA (logMAR) |
---|---|---|
Baseline (Best-corrected) |
4.6 ± 1.1 | 6/4.8-0.10 ± 0.09 |
MiSight | 4.4 ± 1.1 | 6/4.8-0.10 ± 0.09 |
p-value | 0.52 | 0.96 |
ogMAR 0.00 = 6/6 or 20/20; logMAR -0.10 = 6/4.8 or 20/16
The reading speed and reading visual acuity remain the same as baseline (p > 0.05).
Regular follow up by ECP
Monitoring Effects
Follow up every 6 months for at least 18 months*
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Myopia Progression
- Axial Length: best, but not practical (cost)
- Cycloplegic Refraction: if available
- Non-cycloplegic Refraction: practical but ensure accommodation controlled -
Compare their progression with average:
- 0.75D (0 to 1.8 D) per year -
Change of refraction ≤ 1.00D at 12 months: Myopia Management System™ is likely having some impact
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Change of refraction > 1.00D at 12 months: may be non-responder
*Note: final follow up schedule may vary with patients and should be decided by ECP
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Jones LA, Walline JJ et al. Purchase of contact lenses and contact-lenses-related symptoms following the Contact Lenses in Pediatrics (CLIP) Study. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2009 Aug;32(4):157-65.
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Walline JJ, Jones LA et al. Randomized trial of the effect of contact lens wear on self-perception in children. Optom Vis Sci 2009 Mar;86(3):222-32.
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Data on file, CooperVision, 2009.