The school year is off to a great start. You’re juggling getting the kids off to school, making lunches, getting yourself to work, managing homework, setting up schedules for after-school events. But then you get a call from school that your child is having trouble seeing the board. Her teacher suggests you make an appointment with the eye doctor. The teacher’s concerns are confirmed—your child is nearsighted. What are treatment options for your active child? Are there solutions other than glasses and traditional contact lenses? Thankfully, there is a technology that can treat nearsightedness without glasses or daytime contacts.

Understanding Nearsightedness

What exactly is nearsightedness? According to Johns Hopkins Medicine’s Wilmer Eye Institute[1], nearsightedness, also clinically known as myopia, is a condition in which the light entering the eye does not properly focus on the retina. This means objects in the distance appear blurry, such as the whiteboard in the classroom.

Nearsightedness is increasingly common. In fact, since 1971, it has increased 66% in the U.S.[2] Nearsightedness usually surfaces during childhood, often as early as age six. Unfortunately, if you don’t treat nearsightedness, it can impact your child’s ability to learn and develop.[3]

Treatment Options

The traditional way to treat nearsightedness is with glasses. But glasses can be difficult, especially for children. Whether it’s worrying about losing expensive frames, breaking them on the playground, or trying to figure out how to handle glasses during physical activities, they can make things more complicated for you and your child. Are contact lenses a solution for children?

While traditional daytime contact lenses might not be ideal for kids, there is a nearsighted treatment you may not have heard of. Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K lenses, are oxygen-permeable contact lenses that your child wears at night. These lenses gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps, so that he or she has clear vision during the day without needing contact lenses or glasses.

Paragon CRT® was the first FDA approved overnight corneal reshaping lens and there is no age restriction, making the lenses ideal for children.[4] You or your child can put on their contact lenses each night, and remove them the next morning. There’s no more worry about lost glasses or dealing with contact lenses at school.

Children and Contact Lenses

Children today face a number of challenges. By using Paragon CRT® lenses, you can help them reach their optimal visual potential. Studies show that Ortho-K contact lenses can help lead to enhanced self-esteem.[5] The changes to your child’s vision happen quickly once they begin wearing the lenses. While most people notice clearer vision right away, it can take from seven to 14 days for full vision correction, which lasts throughout the day.[6]

It is important to note that the treatment is reversible. For your child to maintain their improved vision, they will need to wear the contact lenses each night. Studies show that vision returns to its original state within about 72 hours without the lenses.⁶

Get Started with Orthokeratology

Nearsightedness is growing rapidly, approaching epidemic levels. It is estimated that by 2020, more than one-third of the world’s population, or about 2.5 billion people, will suffer from nearsightedness.³ Find a doctor to explore if Paragon CRT® contact lenses are right for your child. These innovative lenses offer a great solution for children with nearsightedness.

[1] Johns Hopkins Medicine, Wilmer Eye Institute. “Nearsightedness, Farsightedness and Astigmatism.” https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/wilmer/services/cornea/conditions_we_treat/nearsight.html.

[6] FDA Clinical Study, 2002