Correction of Hyperopia in Children Study (CHICS)

What is hyperopia?

Hyperopia is often called farsightedness. Children who are farsighted need to exert more effort in order to see clearly. As a result, they may not be able to see as well at near. It can also cause children to have difficulty concentrating, blurred vision, eyestrain, fatigue and/or headaches with close work.

How common is farsightedness?

Moderate to high hyperopia affects approximately one in six school-aged children.

What causes farsightedness?

Farsightedness occurs if your eye is too short or the cornea has too little curvature, so light entering your eye is not focused correctly.

What is the Correction of Hyperopia In Children Study (CHICS)?

There is controversy regarding whether or not it is necessary to treat moderate amounts of farsightedness in children. The Correction of Hyperopia In Children Study is being conducted so that eye doctors can learn more about hyperopia and how best to treat it. Approximately 80 children will take part in the study at several pediatric eye care centers in the United States.

Who can participate?

Healthy children ages 6-11 who have moderate amounts of farsightedness but are not wearing correction are invited to participate.

What is involved in the study?

The study involves three visits at The Ohio State University College of Optometry over approximately 6 months. At your initial visit you will be asked to provide your consent. After some initial testing, you will be advised as to whether or not your child is eligible to participate. If your child participates in the study, your child will be randomly assigned to receive either 1) lenses prescribed by your child's doctor or 2) placebo lenses (that contain essentially no correction for farsightedness, but are not expected to make the farsightedness worse). Neither you nor the doctor will have a choice regarding which treatment is assigned to your child. Approximately 2 out of 3 children will receive the prescribed lenses. You will not be informed as to which treatment your child is receiving until the end of the study. Your child's ability to read, attend, and use his/her eyes together will be tested before and after correction. Cognitive ability will also be measured with a pencil and paper type test.

The glasses will be provided to you at no cost. Furthermore, if your child initially receives the placebo lenses, you will be offered the prescribed lenses at no cost to you at the end of the study.

Why should I volunteer to have my child participate?

The best reason to participate in the study is to be part of a research study designed to provide answers about how to best treat farsightedness in children.

Your child will receive glasses at no cost to you and he/she will be receiving high quality eye care.

What will be our responsibilities if we agree to participate?

You will be expected to try your best to have your child wear the glasses full time. You will also need to bring your child in for three examinations.

A study requires a lot of effort from everyone involved. You and your child will be a very important part of the research team and, like its other members, you have a commitment to the study.

What should I do if I would like further information?

For further information or to schedule an appointment, please contact:
Dr. Marjean Taylor Kulp at The OSU College of Optometry at 614-688-3336 or send email.