Sheffield eye care practitioner to participate in pioneering contact lens programme
An independent optometrist in Sheffield has been invited to participate in a programme that will help to shape the use of contact lenses specifically designed for myopia (short-sightedness) control in children.
Family optometrist Alex Gage will be working with patients at his practices in Woodseats and Crosspool to test the lenses, follow their usage and collect data for the programme instigated by the contact lens manufacturer CooperVision.
He is now appealing for parents of short-sighted children to come forward to try the MiSight daily disposable lenses that have been proven to not only optically correct existing myopia, but to slow the rate of progression in children.
Alex Gage said: "As our practices are at the forefront of optometry, we are pleased to offer this new product to slow the progression of myopia in children, and use the experiences of participants to support the wider launch of MiSight in the future.
"There is no age restriction but patients must be willing to wear contact lenses and have previously required a stronger prescription each time they have an eye appointment as their myopia worsens."
According to optical journal Optometry Today, there has been a rapid rise in the prevalence of myopia in the UK over the last 10 years.There are links between myopia and conditions in later life such as cataracts,retinal detachment and glaucoma.
Alex added: "MiSight helps reduce the chances of high levels of myopia developing thus lowering the possibility of developing associated eye conditions."
At present, eight-year-old patient Emma is testing MiSight at Alex Gage's Crosspool practice.
Alex said: "Emma's myopia went from -1.00 to -2.50 in 18 months and at the age of eight, she has many growing years ahead and plenty of time for her myopia to worsen.
"She has taken to the MiSight lenses very well and is a perfect role model for other children wanting to slow down the development of myopia."
Emma's mother, Philippa said the lenses have made a difference to her daughter's sight and day to day activities.
She said: "Although it took a while for her to get used to taking them in and out, she has found that the lenses give her more freedom than glasses to take part in sports and other school pursuits.
"Not only that, but the lenses give her clearer vision and she hopes that they will improve her sight further. Emma would wholeheartedly recommend them to other children in a similar situation to her own, and I think the fact that they are daily disposable lenses helps."
MiSight contact lenses from CooperVision have been developed as part of their Myopia Management System.
The manufacturer presented the results of a three-year study into the effects of the myopia control one-day contact lenses at the British Contact Lens Association clinical conference in June.
Results showed the lenses were 59% effective in slowing myopia progression in children.
Although the product has not yet been launched in the UK, 50 optometrist practices, in particular those that have embraced myopia management in the UK, are offering the specialist programme.
Parents ofshort-sightedchildren interested in taking part in theMiSight programmeare advised to contact Alex Gageat 857 Chesterfield Road, Woodseats, on 0114 274 8582 orat48 Sandygate Road,Crosspool, on0114 266 7066.
Ends
For more information or to arrange an interview with Alex Gage or wife and fellow optometrist Sarah, please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on:
Direct line: 01430 871360
Mobile: 07971 961574
E mail:traceybaty@three60marketing.co.uk
Web:www.three60marketing.co.uk
Notes to editors
Please visitwww.alexgagevision.co.ukfor more information about the extensive services and products that Alex and his wife, and fellow optometrist, Sarah Gage provide at their practices.
To keep up to date with news from Alex Gage Family Optometrist, find the company onFacebookandTwitter.
For more information on myopia control, please visitwww.alexgageoptom.wordpress.com/myopia-control.
For more information about MiSight from CooperVision, please visitwww.coopervision.com.my/contact-lenses/misight.