This article was originally published in a sponsored newsletter.
This is the second column chronicling experiences in the Bifocal Lenses In Nearsighted Kids (BLINK) Study. Beginning in 2014, the BLINK Study screened 443 children aged 7 to 11 across two clinical sites (The Ohio State University College of Optometry and University of Houston College of Optometry); 294 of these children were randomized into the BLINK Study.1 Over the last 10 years, 150 of the 294 participants were seen at the University of Houston College of Optometry where I have served as Primary Masked Examiner in BLINK and Primary Examiner in BLINK 2.
Late BLINK Observations—The Young Adult Looking Forward
As the BLINK Study transitioned into its second phase, BLINK 2, it allowed for a firsthand view of increasing responsibility and autonomy from these young adults. Participants were now driving themselves to visits and offering a new quality of vision metric in “when I’m driving, I notice…” statements. No longer reliant on guidance, these young adults schedule appointments, manage devices, and contribute to a smooth study process.
Exam efficiency dramatically increased with these teenagers. As they share their future goals, they exhibited insightful curiosity about careers in science, research, and health care. However, alongside these milestones came new challenges impacting scheduling: high school extracurriculars, work commitments, college attendance, and life events. Despite these obstacles, these participants stayed committed and saw the study to completion.
A particularly poignant moment occurred with one of our final study visits that captures this shared journey over decade: I found myself refracting a participant at their final visit while simultaneously rocking her infant daughter’s stroller with my foot. How very full circle to end there with something I hadn’t done since the start of the study…with my own newborn. At this moment, the participant asked “Hey Dr. Anita, are you all doing any infant studies? Her dad is a myope too. Did your BLINK baby become myopic?” It seems that we have graduated to the “The Curious Parent of a Child Participant” phase.
Kids grow up fast. Truly, in the BLINK of an eye! BLINK 2 Study visits have wrapped up and it was hard to say goodbye to these young adults after 10 years. More than a few participants have their own future myopia management kids! Hopefully more people consider working with kids in myopia management. It truly has been the most rewarding experience.
REFERENCES
- Walline JJ, Walker MK, Mutti DO, et al; BLINK Study Group. Effect of High Add Power, Medium Add Power, or Single-Vision Contact Lenses on Myopia Progression in Children: The BLINK Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2020 Aug 11;324:571-580.
Click here to read the first part of this article,.
