New contact lenses could cure short-sightedness

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Good news for the young and squinty. A prototype contact lens that could cure short-sightedness by coaxing the eyeball to grow into a healthier shape has been unveiled by researchers in America. Gizmag takes a closer look.

Traditional contact lenses compensate for short-sightedness but may in fact lead to deterioration of eyesight over time. These new contacts, developed by scientists at the State University of New York, actively mould the eye of those who wear them - shaping it in a way to work against myopia.

However, old people's eyes don't grow particularly fast; so these lenses will be of most use to children whose vision is just starting to blur.