A Fresh Perspective.

Optometric technician and myopia management advocate Christine David supports myopia management from a patient’s preliminary testing through to contact lens training.

In her first installment of this new EB column series, David looked at strategies for engaging children in their eye health journey and how to gather pieces of the eye health puzzle. In this second installment, she focuses on the next step for practice staff in coordinating care for myopia management patients—training children in contact lens wear.

TRAINING CHILDREN IN CONTACT LENS WEAR

If the exam reveals that a child has developed myopia, our doctors then walk the parent and child through options for treatment. At Bellaire Family Eye Care, we offer CooperVision MiSight 1 day soft dual-focus contact lenses, FDA-approved for myopia control, as well as off-label options such as Paragon CRT ortho-k lenses, soft multifocal contacts, and atropine.

A contact lens prescription may come as a surprise to parents of young children, but we see young children handle contact lenses very well. The CLIP study found that, on average, it takes only 15 minutes longer to train an 8- to 12-year-old compared with a 13- to 17-year-old. Contact lens wear can also improve a child’s perception of their physical appearance, athletic competence, and social acceptance.

In my experience, young children are often more keen to try contact lenses than teenagers! A 5-year-old patient I trained successfully got her lenses in and out on the first attempt. For children who find it intimidating, it may help to give them at-home tasks to get comfortable with holding their eyelids open.

The importance of correct contact lens handling and wear cannot be overemphasized.

I educate both the parent and child, answering their questions about the do’s and don’ts. Detailed instructions help with compliance and consistency­—factors necessary for successful management of myopia. A daily disposable lens, such as MiSight 1 day, makes good hygiene even easier.

Regardless of the age of the child, I like to start by asking them about what questions or concerns they have about contact lenses. If I can address a fear upfront, such as if the contact lens insertion will hurt, I address it by demonstrating how easily we insert our own contact lenses, which can help the training go more smoothly. Before we even begin insertion, I give them a lens to handle, so they can see how it feels and get more comfortable with it. After the exam and contact lens training, the child has successfully completed their first step in managing myopia.

EMPOWERING CHILDREN

For all involved, it’s incredibly rewarding to proactively combat childhood myopia. The child is excited for the contact-lens lifestyle and the parents feel confident that they’ve taken the right step to help their child.

As for my role as a technician, I know I’m supporting a treatment journey that can make the child’s future even brighter than before. 

Christine David is an optometric technician at Bellaire Family Eye Care and the Contact Lens Institute of Houston in Bellaire, TX. She serves as an advocate for myopia management in the practice and is involved in several ongoing myopia management clinical trials.