The UNSW researchers are monitoring 75 subjects with progressing shortsightedness between the ages of 8 and 16 years old, who will wear the contact lenses for 12 months.

The screech of metal against wood was the moment I began to question the efficacy of miraculous-sounding contact lenses that correct impaired vision while you sleep.

Refractive errors cannot be prevented, but they can be diagnosed by an eye examination and treated with corrective glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery.