WATERLOO, Ont. (Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013) – A study is underway at the Centre for Contact Lens Research at the University of Waterloo to determine the effectiveness of contact lenses designed specifically to slow the progression of myopia—or nearsightedness—in children.
"Research shows that children as young as eight years old can successfully wear, handle and care for contact lenses," said Dr. Debbie Jones, the lead investigator of the study and head of the pediatric clinic at the School of Optometry and Vision Science. "The study will determine whether this type of contact lens can help slow down the rate at which a child’s nearsightedness progresses."
The research team is seeking children aged eight to 12 to participate. The children will receive daily disposable contact lenses, training on how to wear and handle them, follow-up visits, as well as up to $210 for their time.
While the study will take place over three years, there is no mandatory time commitment, and participants can discontinue from the study at any time.
"Even children with no prior experience with contact lenses can learn quickly how to handle them, and parents are in the best position to know if their child is ready to try contact lenses,” said Dr. Jones. "Wearers of contact lenses have reported that they are less cumbersome than spectacles when playing sports, and may actually provide a more natural vision than glasses."
For more information, please call 519-888-4742. All studies conducted at the Centre for Contact Lens Research have been reviewed and received ethics clearance through a University of Waterloo Research Ethics Committee.
About the University of Waterloo
In just half a century, the University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada's technology hub, has become one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities with 35,000 full- and part-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Waterloo, as home to the world's largest post-secondary co-operative education program, embraces its connections to the world and encourages enterprising partnerships in learning, research and discovery. In the next decade, the university is committed to building a better future for Canada and the world by championing innovation and collaboration to create solutions relevant to the needs of today and tomorrow. For more information about Waterloo, visit www.uwaterloo.ca.
