FDA approves a contact lens for treatment of myopia in children

There is a new treatment for eyecare professionals to manage myopia progression. Made by Coopervision, MiSight is a daily disposable soft contact lens. It is the only method approved by the FDA to slow the progression of myopia in children (8-12 years of age at the initiation of treatment).

Our very own Dr. Tan is one of the few optometrist certified to fit this lens that helps control myopia in children. 

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is an eye condition in which the eyeball elongates during development, thus causing blurry vision since the light rays focus in front of the retina (instead of correctly onto the retina). In 2010, 28% of the world’s population was myopic - by 2050, that number could reach 50%. With the growing myopia epidemic, there has been a greater need to slow down the progression of myopia. With higher myopia, there is a greater risk of developing other eye diseases such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, cataracts, and myopic maculopathy. Furthermore, the patient will also be more dependent on glasses and it may be more difficult to be a good candidate for refractive surgery. 

The increasing incidence of myopia can be attributed to a combination of two factors: genetics and environment.

For genetics, even one parent with myopia increases the child’s chance of developing myopia by 3x, which can double to 6x if both parents are myopic.

For the environment, research has shown that spending more time
outdoors lowers the risk of progressive myopia.

The earlier myopia management begins, the better the outcomes will be regarding the child’s overall eye health. Managing myopia starts with annual comprehensive eye exams. 

In the 3 year randomized clinical trial, the Misight lens decreased a child's average prescription from progressing by 59% and preserved a child's eye length by 52% versus the control lens. There were no adverse effects with contact lens wear and the kids found it comfortable to wear.

Not only does Misight treat myopia progression, it corrects the child’s prescription and allows them to be independent of glasses (which is great for active patients). 

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