Stat Tracker

Contact Lenses Offer Similar Benefits to Children and Teens

Children under the age of 12 and teenagers both benefit greatly from contact lens wear and perceive an improvement in quality-of-life 1 week and 1 month after changing from eyeglasses to contact lenses, according to the Contact Lens In Pediatrics (CLIP) study, a multi-site study comparing the two groups. After 1 month of contact lens wear, parents report no significant difference in wearing time between children 12 and younger and teens. Additionally, investigators note that younger wearers are as adept at insertion and removal of contact lenses as teens.

"Children as young as 8-years-old who need refractive error correction are as capable as teenagers at wearing and caring for soft contact lenses and should be presented with the option of contact lens wear when vision correction is required," says study leader Jeffrey J. Walline, O.D., Ph.D., of the Ohio State University College of Optometry. "This study demonstrates that both children and teens derive a number of quality-of-life benefits and the most significant improvement is increased confidence in their ability to participate in activities." Dr. Walline says that contact lenses often provide a more convenient mode of correction for young wearers.

"With a wide variety of daily wear, 1-day disposable and continuous wear contact lenses in our arsenal, eyecare practitioners can work with young patients and their parents to best determine what modality best fits each child's personality, maturity and lifestyle," says Dr. Walline.

About these data: The Contact Lens In Pediatrics (CLIP) Study, sponsored by Vistakon, a Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., is the first clinical investigation to compare children and teens using silicone hydrogel contact lenses. This section of the study compared the function and quality of life benefits of silicone hydrogel contact lenses among first-time wearers ages 8 to 12 and ages 13 to 17. The findings were presented today at the American Academy of Optometry annual meeting in Denver.

Children between the ages of 8 and 12 (n =84) and teenagers ages 13 and 17 (n=85) who participated in the study required vision correction to see optimally. Following baseline examinations, participants were initially fitted with either Acuvue Advance Brand Contact Lenses with Hydraclear or Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism.

Survey: Eye Allergies Hinder Contact Lens Use

A recent survey reveals that more than half (54%) of contact lens wearers who suffer from eye-related allergies find it very uncomfortable to wear their lenses while suffering from allergies, leading many to either change their contact lens wearing habits or abandon lens wear until allergy season passes.

Approximately 2 million allergy sufferers have eye allergies as their primary allergy, according to the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America. The "Eye on Allergies" survey finds that the vast majority (73%) of those who wear contact lenses and suffer from eye allergy symptoms most often cope by either increasing their use of rewetting drops, wearing their lenses less often or removing their lenses during the day. A significant number (42%) say they stop wearing lenses and switch to glasses.

Most respondents report that they currently replace their contact lenses either once every 1 to 2 weeks or less frequently. A leading allergy expert says daily disposable contact lenses may be the best alternative for allergy sufferers.

Other major findings from the survey show:

► 74% describe themselves as feeling annoyed, frustrated or irritable when it comes to their eye-related allergy symptoms

► 48% say their symptoms keep them from doing things they enjoy

► 40% have consulted with their ophthalmologist or optometrist about their symptoms, and nearly 15% have seen an allergy specialist. OM

About these data: A quantitative survey of 500 adult contact lens wearers who suffer from ocular allergies was conducted. The survey targeted a random sample, representative of the U.S. population, across age (18 and older), sex, ethnic and geographic segments. The "Eye on Allergies" survey, conducted on behalf of Vistakon, explores the coping mechanisms of those who suffer from eye-related allergies, no matter the time of year. For more information, visit www.acuvue.com.