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No conclusive proof yet
 A two-year randomised trial brings good news for parents of myopic children.
Of the 135 Chinese Canadian children who were randomly assigned to different types of spectacle lenses, those who wore prismatic bifocals – the Myopilux Max – were shown to have the least myopia progression.
The study was published in the American Medical Association’s Archives Of Ophthalmology in January. One of its authors, Dr Bjorn Drobe, senior research scientist at Essilor Singapore, said that the children in the trial reported no difficulty in adapting to the new lenses.
So should parents now have their children use the new Myopilux lenses?
It may not be necessary, say eye practitioners here.
Dr Zena Lim, consultant ophthalmologist at the Singapore National Eye Centre, said that the current findings “do not warrant a change in current clinical practice”, which is to treat myopia with single vision lenses.
She said: “Currently, the small and unsustained effect of using bifocal or progressive lenses in retarding myopia progression, while not harmful, needs to be validated in larger scale studies with a longer duration of follow-up.”
Dr Lim felt that there is only a selected group of children who would “certainly benefit” from these new lenses.
She pointed out that children with certain types of convergent squint, or crossed eyes, and those who have undergone childhood cataract surgery are frequently treated with bifocal lenses.
Others with high, progressive myopia who are treated with atropine eye drops may also be prescribed progressive lenses while on the treatment as they may encounter blurring of near vision.
Mr David Chong, an optometrist in private practice, also does not think that all children should automatically ditch their old glasses and switch to the new ones.
The ex-president of the Singapore Optometric Association said: “It shouldn’t be the first choice for children, but should be used only under certain circumstances.
“If a six-year-old child has myopia of 600 degrees and there is a need to stop the progression fast, parents and optometrists now have another option with the Myopilux lenses,” he added.
Mr Chong said it was more important that children be fitted with the correct lenses for their myopia, are checked for other underlying eye problems and be made aware of their reading and lifestyle habits.
Dr Lee Sao Bing, medical director of Shinagawa Lasik Centre, felt that there was no harm in letting children try on the lenses.
He said that the child’s comfort level with the new product is what should ultimately guide an optometrist’s decision.
It may take some time before an adult or a child adapts and knows where to focus his eyes when he is using progressive or bifocal lens to view objects at varying distances.
Dr Lee said that if the child complains of headaches, neck aches or encounters falls after wearing the new lenses, he should switch back to his previous type of glasses.
In general, Dr Lim advised that parents be counselled on the “current lack of conclusive evidence of these lenses” and their possible side effects.
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