A breakthrough lens technology hopes to turn the tide on the rising epidemic of nearsightedness, or myopia in kids. EssilorLuxottica has created these daily disposables, which have won approval for use in the United States. They are now going into the arms of pediatric patients ages 8-12. Members of the pediatric ophthalmology community are optimistic about the positive effects these lenses could have. Among their ranks are Honolulu-based Dr. Rupa Wong and Dr. Michael Repka from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
The lenses were approved under an adjunct scope of practice framework in 2019. They are developed for control the advancement of myopia, a condition which affects an estimated 30% to 40% of kids in the U.S. by their senior year of secondary school. The unique design incorporates 11 concentric rings of small raised dots that create an optical illusion. These dots are designed to refocus bad light onto retina, potentially slowing down eye elongation, the primary cause of worsening nearsightedness.
In clinical trials, children who wore these lenses achieved truly remarkable outcomes. After two years, they had an average of 50% less eye lengthening than kids who did not wear the lenses. This unexpected and major finding underscores the true potential of these lenses to make a meaningful impact on children’s visual health and development.
Dr. Wong expressed her enthusiasm for this new approach, stating, “Now we have a way to slow that down and maybe we can prevent kids from having that really elongated eye that puts them at risk for blindness.” She underscored the importance of addressing myopia. Early intervention can help avoid serious complications down the road, such as increased risk of blindness.
To support more extensive data on the effectiveness of these lenses in American children, Dr. Repka is leading a multi-center U.S. study. The National Institutes of Health funds this critical research. He noted, “I think before it becomes widely used, we will need some data in the United States.” He thinks the early results are encouraging. He stresses that more research is needed to determine the long-term effectiveness and safety of the lenses.
The lenses had been previously released in Europe and Asia, where they had produced excellent outcomes. Dr. Repka warned, it’s really important to know how the technology is working across different populations. He stated, “Whether this hypothesis is ultimately proven to be true, of course, matters only in part.”
Insurance coverage for these lenses is expected from large U.S. vision insurance companies for children who are prescribed the lenses under established medical guidelines. The pricing of the retail price ceiling is $450. As a result, conversations about accessibility to these solutions have generated interest from families searching for solutions to their children’s vision issues.
As awareness around myopia continues to grow, parents face a difficult choice: “Your child needs to wear glasses and they’ll live with it,” Dr. Repka explained. He cautioned me and my family that myopia typically progresses over time. That’s why it’s so important for families to find alternatives that can help slow its advancement.
