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Large-scale study identifies prescribing patterns for soft contacts
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SAN FRANCISCO - Results from a retrospective chart review indicate that adolescents and young adults are more likely than children to have a change in soft contact lens power, and hydrogels are more likely prescribed to children.
Beth Kinoshita, OD, FAAO, reported here at Academy 2010 that the 3,549 patients, ages 8 years to 33 years, were part of the Contact Lens Assessment in Youth (CLAY) study being conducted in six North American clinics.
"We wondered if there is an age range between 8 years and 25 years where there's an increased risk of contact lens wear as compared to adult wear," she said.
"When the 8- to 12-year-old group was compared to the older groups, the incidence of myopia was comparable, but hyperopia was more prevalent," Dr. Kinoshita said. Of this younger group, "17.4% had a change in power, and the kids were more likely to be prescribed daily disposables."
This study was funded by an unrestricted grant from CIBA Vision, Duluth, Ga.