Dear Prevention minded friends,

Subject: Remarks on SUPPORTING sincere preventive
optometrists.

Re: The actions you can take with your own
children (with second-opinion OD support) -- if
you wish to help them.

Long ago, I realized that the kids themselves induce that
first stage of nearsightedness. Thus you will see them "reading"
at 5 to 4 inches (effectively -10 diopters). They can certainly
do this -- for short periods of time. But the natural eye IS
CONTROLING ITS REFRACTIVE STATE to that environment.

Thus the child then goes from "plus" to "minus". What is of
absolute importance is that the child be STOPPED from doing this
-- however difficult it may be for THE PARENT do "prevent" the
child from doing it. That has got to be a "struggle" for any
parent who wishes to keep his child's vision clear (better than
20/40) through the school years.

No "plus", and no "preventive" measure can have ANY EFFECT,
UNTIL both parent and child "wake up" to this necessity.
True effective prevention must start in the home.

But once this is "understood", and the child is at 20/40 to
20/50 (still functional -- does not require the minus) SOME ODs
will prescribe a -2 diopter lens. That is a real "killer".

What the child needs is support, and yes, needs to begin
HABITUAL wearing of the plus. This is obviously very difficult
for the parent to comprehend. But there is very little choice,
but "neglect" and deeper myopia.

Prevention is indeed the "second-opinion", but the
majority-opinion ODs can think up endless reasons (excuses) for
"trashing" ANY OD WHO SUGGESTS THAT THE ABOVE APPROACH IS
NECESSARY.

Best,

Otis