Subject
Blacker, et al.’s study examines the effect of lens material on the development of myopia (Blacker et al. Para.1).
Method and material used
To achieve the purpose, the researchers selected 54 participants putting on low-Dk/t hydrogel contact lenses as daily wear and another 230 putting on silicone hydrogel contact lenses for a continuous duration of up to 30 nights (Blacke et al. Para.2). The study collected refractive error data from these participants within a duration of three years. The researchers carried out univariate and multivariate analysis with relevant control of variables.
Discussion
According to the study’s multivariate analysis, two factors were found to have a significant effect on refractive error changes: (a) subject age; and (b) by lens type- the hydrogel contact lenses wearers had -0.41 D while silicone hydrogel contact lens wearers had +02 (Blacker et al. Para.12). The researchers find consistency between their studies with past studies to the effect that a higher rate of myopia progression occurs with low Dk/t hydrogel lenses compared to silicone hydrogel contact lens use, through the degree of effect varies across the studies (Blacker et al. Para.22). The authors identified the limitations in the study to include the possibility of biases due to non-random selection of participants, instrumental errors and absence of measurements for ocular components.
Conclusion
The study establishes the existence of significant correlation between myopic progression on one hand and lens type as well as age on the other hand. Low oxygen contact lens wearers and younger participants exhibit more progression and vice versa (Blacker, et al. Para.4).
Critique
Opinion on the above Section
This study is very comprehensive and the above summary in itself cannot be purported to be exhaustive; it merely captures the key elements of the paper.
Strengths, Weaknesses and Elimination of Weaknesses
The article has several strengths. First, the population is big enough to be representative. Second, it provides sufficient backgrounds to lend relevance to the study and reviews past studies to reveal research gaps. Third, it clearly sets out the study’s research design, processes and limitations to enable the readers to evaluate the validity and reliability of the study. Finally, it makes references and comparisons to peer-reviewed and empirical studies, which have academic reputations, thus boosting their validity and reliability.
It however has a few weaknesses :(a) it does not specify the implications of its findings to future research and practice; (a) while highlighting numerous limitations, no mention is made on steps taken by the researchers to mitigate the limitations (which indeed are threats to validity). To eliminate the limitations of the study the researchers should state the implications of the study to future research and myopia prevention (practice), and highlight limitation mitigation strategies employed.
Value Addition to knowledge in this Topic
Through this study, I have boosted my knowledge of myopia progression mitigation across ages. For instance, I now understand that a silicone hydrogel lens (a high oxygen material) would be the best for children if they were to wear soft lenses, as this has a limited effect on myopia progression.
Overall Evaluation and Opinion
Overall, the study is effective and has a relatively high degree of validity, reliability, and credibility owing to strong procedures, careful and proper choice of subjects, adequate population size, appropriate control mechanisms, and sufficient duration for myopia progression. It sticks to its purpose and indeed achieves it.
Works Cited
Blacker , Adam, et al. “Myopia Progression over Three Years of Soft Contact Lens Wear.”Optom Vis Sci. 86.10 (2009):1150-3. Web.