Can Near-Sightedness
Be Prevented?
Written by Brent B. Fry, OD
If you or someone in your family is
nearsighted, then you are aware of the
challenges that come with not being able
to see clearly far away without glasses or
contact lenses. You are also aware that
nearsightedness (myopia) is something
that gets worse during the growing years.
If a child develops myopia early in life, we
typically see more severity of myopia into
adulthood. You may ask, is there anything
that can be done to prevent myopia?
Unfortunately, myopia cannot be prevented.
However, decades of research shows that
myopia can be slowed down during the
growing years. Why does this matter? A high
degree of myopia makes a person more
susceptible to cataracts, glaucoma, and
retinal disorders. If you could slow down the
progression of myopia in your child, would
you not do everything you could to make
that happen?
Several methods can be used to slow down
the progression of myopia. Although not yet
FDA approved, many eyecare practitioners
in the United States and across the globe
are prescribing treatments to suppress
myopia. Ortho-keratology, also known as
CRT (Corneal Refractive Therapy), is a type
of treatment that uses rigid gas permeable
contact lenses to reshape the corneas
overnight. This method has been around for
decades and is still one of the most effective
methods of slowing down myopia. With
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CRT, a child wears the lenses overnight while
sleeping, then removes them upon waking.
During the day, the child does not require
glasses or contact lenses to see clearly. The
best way to understand how this works is to
think of CRT as a temporary LASIK. Whereas
LASIK permanently reshapes the cornea to
correct the refractive error in individuals who
have stopped growing (usually 20 years or
older), CRT temporarily reshapes the cornea to
correct the refractive error. CRT is temporary
and reversible. CRT is very safe if prescribed
and monitored by a licensed eye doctor who is
experienced in fitting this type of contact lens.