What is your favorite memory from school? Do you have flashbacks of playing sports, acting on stage in drama class, or a dance performance you put on at the talent show? Maybe you were traveling in the school marching band. Perhaps you played computer games or spent your lunch over a board game in the library. School children often struggle to assess where they belong among their peers. Do your kids?
All of us, young and old, are constantly working out ways to determine our position in life. Do we fit in with our friends? Are we comfortable financially? How is our physical health? These are quality of life questions, and they are especially meaningful among children and adolescents that are still trying to figure out who they are.
Quality of Life Considerations for Your Child
For a child affected by myopia (i.e. nearsightedness), quality of life can be extremely impactful on self-esteem and peer acceptance.1 In a recent study focused on comparing orthokeratology (ortho-k) lens wearers to those wearing standard prescription glasses the quality of life features of ortho-k really stood out. Ortho-k lenses are worn at night and correct the curvature of the cornea while sleeping so you can see clearly during the day without glasses or daytime contact lenses.
When researchers Dr. Colm McAlinden, and Dr. Michael Lipson finished their recent study on 234 adolescent participants, they discovered that the highest quality of life was recorded among those in the ortho-k group.
Look at the recorded benefits of ortho-k:
- Higher quality of life among ortho-k patients over glasses.2
- Seeing without the need of daytime corrective wear has had a significant benefit on the child’s life.2
- Confidence and self-esteem are higher in children in ortho-k treatment.2
- Less activity restrictions for children in ortho-k.2
“This vision-related quality of life survey is the only questionnaire validated to measure the beneficial impact of ortho-k on your child’s quality of life.”
-Dr. Michael Lipson, OD
Uncapping your child’s potential
For a student participating in extracurricular activities, especially sports, their experiences may be hindered by the need for corrective lenses, like prescription glasses.3 There are quality-of-life benefits for a child on a myopia treatment plan that does not interfere with their day-to-day activities.2 This is just another way ortho-k stands apart from more obstructive vision correction plans.
“Children report more confidence and less activity restrictions when using CRT versus glasses.”
-Dr. Michael Lipson, OD
Paragon CRT® may have tremendous behavioral benefits for your child, including fewer activity restrictions, increased confidence and a more positive outlook on their position in life.
Find a CRT certified eye care professional near your home. Use our simple Find a Doctor resource and ask them if your child is a candidate for Paragon CRT®.
Sources:
- 1. Dias, L., Manny, R. E., Hyman, L., & Fern, K. (2002). The Relationship between Self-Esteem of Myopic Children and Ocular and Demographic Characteristics. Optometry and Vision Science, 79(11)
- 2. Lipson, M.J., & Mcalinden, C. (2017). Orthokeratology and Contact Lens Quality of Life Questionnaire (OCL-QoL). Eye & contact lens 0, Num. 0.
- 3. Dias L1, Manny RE, Weissberg E, Fern KD. Myopia, contact lens use and self-esteem. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt.2013 Sep;33(5):573-80. doi: 10.1111/opo.12080. Epub 2013 Jun 13