Summary of the January 2001 Session "Myopia Progression and GPs," with John Rinehart, OD, Jeff Walline, OD, and Joe Yager, OD

Please note that the ideas presented during the chat are those of the participating eyecare professionals. They do not necessarily represent the views of the moderator or guest expert, and are not endorsed by the GP Lens Institute.

• An appropriate age to consider GPs is eight years of age.
   
• Young people are actually more compliant in their care than older patients.
   
• Parents need to feel they play a part in the decision-making process; this is particularly the case if the practitioner feels GPs are indicated but the parent wears soft lenses.
   
• Initial spectacle wear for the young myope often serves as a motivating factor for contact lenses.
   
• It is very important to be straightforward with the kids as it pertains to initial sensation and adaptation. They need to know that initial awareness is to be expected and why. The lid can be lifted away from the edge so they realize it is the lid and the edge of the moving lens (not the eye) that is causing awareness and this will go away over time.
   
• A topical anesthetic can be beneficial but not essential for every child if the young person is motivated and GP adaptation has been well explained.
   
• According to Dr. Jeff Walline, Primary Investigator of the Contact Lens and Myopia Progression (CLAMP) study at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, around 80% of young people will successfully adapt to GPs.
   
• Both the recently published Yew study and the Houston Myopia Study have found that myopia progression is reduced by one-half to one-third as compared to spectacles.
   
• Practitioners should not hesitate prescribing GPs for kids involved in sports. They can be provided in a large diameter and a low edge lift. Kids should be provided with a spare pair if lens loss does occur.
   
• The CLAMP Study results, to be available in early 2003, should provide definitive results on the impact of GPs on ocular components — notably axial length — as well as myopia progression.
   
• The results of the Medical Assessment Response Questionnaire were quite encouraging as well. This 20-question survey on myopia and young people was sent to 10,000 fitters. Over 33% responded. It concluded that 69% of the fitters believe that GPs control myopia in children; 96% of the fitters are interested in seeing more data on myopia progression and GPs.