Can a Contact Lens Cure Nearsightedness? Five-Year Clinical Study Testing Corneal Reshaping Therapy as Possible Method to Arr...( Researchers ...),Health

Researchers have reported positive first-year results from a clinical trial that is testing whether specialized contact lenses can slow or halt the progression of near sightedness in children. Co principal investigators Drs S. Barry Eiden and Robert Davis, working with EyeVis Eye and Vision Research Institute, recently reported on initial results from the SMART Trial (Stabilization of Myopia by Accelerated Reshaping Technique).

Chicago (PRWEB) July 7, 2009 -- Researchers have reported positive first-year results from a clinical trial that is testing whether specialized contact lenses can slow or halt the progression of near sightedness in children.

Co principal investigators Drs S. Barry Eiden and Robert Davis, working with EyeVis Eye and Vision Research Institute, recently reported on initial results from the SMART Trial (Stabilization of Myopia by Accelerated Reshaping Technique).

The clinical study, which has 10 investigational sights located throughout the United States, has enrolled approximately 300 subjects aged 8 to 14 to determine if wearing corneal reshaping contact lenses on an overnight basis stops or slows the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children.

Overnight corneal reshaping (also termed overnight orthokeratology, corneal refractive therapy, and vision shaping treatment) is a non-surgical process that utilizes specially designed contact lenses to change the shape of the cornea. Lenses are worn overnight during sleep only. Once removed upon waking the induced flatter curvature of the cornea results in clear vision thus reducing or eliminating the dependence on contact lenses or glasses during waking hours.

Approximately 25 percent of the U.S. population has myopia while the incidence of nearsightedness approaches 70 percent in some Asian countries. High levels of myopia are associated with a number of risk factors for permanent vision l
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