Recent research has shown that young nearsighted kids who wear bifocal contact lenses to slow uncoordinated eye growth do not lose the benefits of the treatment once they stop wearing the lenses.
Originally published in 2020, a clinical trial demonstrated that soft multifocal contact lenses with a high dose of added reading power significantly slowed the progression of myopia in children as young as 7 years old. There were concerns about whether discontinuing the treatment would result in a rebound effect of faster-than-normal eye growth.
In the new trial, nearsighted kids wore high-add bifocal lenses for two years followed by one year with single-vision contact lenses. Results showed that the treatment effect did not decline, and myopia progression continued at expected rates thereafter.
Senior author Jeffrey Walline, professor of optometry at The Ohio State University, emphasized that the benefits gained from this treatment are not lost. The goal is to provide patients with healthier eyes at a lower cost and more options for clear vision.
The follow-up study, known as BLINK2, was published in JAMA Ophthalmology on January 16, 2025. Both trials were conducted at Ohio State and the University of Houston.
Nearsightedness, or myopia, can lead to various vision-related complications, making early intervention crucial. Multifocal contact lenses have emerged as a promising treatment option for myopic patients, correcting distance vision and enabling clear near vision.
The research has paved the way for advancements in myopia treatment strategies, including orthokeratology and atropine eye drops. Walline and his team are exploring the possibility of delaying the onset of myopia in young children through early intervention.
Funded by the National Eye Institute, the BLINK study sheds light on innovative approaches to managing myopia in children. Your support allows us to continue delivering reliable and insightful science and medical news, empowering us to uncover stories that impact you. Together, we can ensure that important discoveries reach those who can benefit from them the most.
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