Suburban Children Sought For Nearsightedness Study

Dr. Robert Gerowitz, as part of the FDA approved S.M.A.R.T. study, is seeking 15 children who are eight to 14 years old and in no higher than eighth grade to act as the control group and receive a free initial eye screening and contact lenses.

“As the control group, the children are not part of any treatment. They are studied to see how their eyes compare with those receiving treatment,” said Dr. Gerowitz. “Children need to be mild to moderately nearsighted and may already be wearing contact lenses. They will receive the initial screening as well as FDA approved Pure Vision contact lenses from Bausch and Lomb free for five years if they are accepted into the study. The deadline for enrollment is November 15th of this year.”

Two eye screenings will be held before the November 15th deadline at Dr. Gerowitz’s office at 4880 Euclid Avenue in Palatine. The dates of these events are Monday, October 22nd at 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM and on Thursday, November 8th starting at 7:00 PM and running to 8:30 PM. Refreshments will be provided by Gumbo A Go-Go, a new Cajun and Creole restaurant, located in downtown Palatine.

Before the screenings, Dr. Gerowitz will be discussing the latest techniques and future treatment of progressive myopia. Attendees will learn about the early findings of the S.M.A.R.T. study and the progress that is being made toward slowing down or eliminating nearsightedness. “There is hope for parents who keep watching their children’s glasses get thicker and thicker each year,” said Dr. Gerowitz.

The screenings take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Appointments for the October 22nd and November 8th screenings are recommended, but not necessary. To schedule an appointment, call Dr. Gerowitz’s office at 847-705-7777.

The FDA-Approved S.M.A.R.T. or Stabilizing Myopia by Accelerating Reshaping Technique study evaluates the success of Gentle Shaping or Orthokeratology in reducing and/or halting the steady progression of nearsightedness (myopia) in children and adolescents. The 15 children being recruited for this phase of the study will be used as a control to measure the effects of contact lenses on nearsightedness as compared to Orthokeratology.

A ten year Palatine resident, Dr. Gerowitz is a member of the Rotary Club of Palatine and was listed as "Rotarian of the Year 1998-99." He has also served on the board of directors for the Palatine Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Gerowitz graduated with honors from Northeastern Illinois University in 1977 with a degree in Pre-Optometry. In 1979 at the Illinois College of Optometry, he received a second bachelor's degree in Visual Science and in 1981 was awarded his doctorate in Optometry. In 1994, Dr. Gerowitz was named "Best and Brightest" in Optometry by 20/20 Magazine and in 1997 Eyegrad, an association of Optometrists, named him "Optometrist of the Year.”

For further information on the S.M.A.R.T. study or Dr. Gerowitz write to Dr. Robert Gerowitz 4880 Euclid Ave. Palatine, IL 60067, call 847-705-7777, email dr.gerowitz@comcast.net or visit www.allaboutorthok.net.

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