By Susie Shea

Nothing stops children participating in sport and playground activities faster than glasses for children . Kids can't play or perform to the best of their abilities if they can't see well or if they are wear glasses for children. Glasses are cumbersome, and children often choose not to wear glasses. But a new kind of orthok corrective contact lens which is only worn at night could be the answer to all these problems.

In a recent study carried out by Fairfield Research among members of the Good Housekeeping Reader Advisory Panel, a large number of respondents admitted that their children were very unhappy to wear glasses:

42% of parents say that their children dislike wearing glasses.
41% stated that their children do not always wear glasses when they should.
50% said that their children would rather wear contact lenses.

With all the disadvantages of glasses for children   you would expect that more children would switch from glasses to contact lenses. But not many parents realise that contact lenses are an option.

Glasses for children only correct eyesight and myopia will continue to increase over time. But new hope is on the horizon in the form of a new orthok corrective contact lens worn while sleeping which may slow down the development of short- sightedness in children.

The technique called Overnight Vision Correction, involves wearing special corrective ortho k contact lenses whilst sleeping. The lenses act like a jelly mould holding the front of the eye in the correct shape as it grows and also correcting the way that light focuses on the back of the eye; this enables the child to see without the corrective lenses when they are removed in the morning. The S.M.A.R.T Study currently underway in the US indicates that these lenses if worn overnight could slow or even stop the progression of short-sightedness in children.

The Contact Lenses in Pediatrics Study by the Ohio State University College of Optometry, New England College of Optometry and University of Houston College of Optometry reveals that 68 percent of children and 65 percent of teens noticed improved performance in activities after wearing contact lenses.

Find out if your child is suitable for corrective contact lenses