Dual-focus contact lens slows myopia progression in children

ANAHIEM, Calif. – A dual-focus daily disposable contact lens decreased the progression rate of myopia in children between 8 and 12 years old when compared to a single vision spherical daily disposable contact lens, according to a study presented here at the American Academy of Optometry meeting.

Paul Chamberlain, BSc(Hons), and colleagues evaluated 115 children in a prospective, randomized, double-masked, controlled study conducted at four sites.

He presented the 24-month results of a study involving 55 children wearing a dual-focus lens compared with 60 control subjects wearing a spherical lens. Both lenses are made of omafilcon A and worn on a daily disposable basis.

All children had no prior contact lens experience. At enrollment, they had a refractive error of -0.75 D to -4.00 D, astigmatism of 0.75 D or less and anisometropia of 1 D or less. They were evaluated at 1 week and 1, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months.

Mean spherical equivalent autorefraction (MRSE) was measured using the WAM-5500 (Grand Seiko) and 1% tropicamide, and axial length was measured with the IOL Master (Carl Zeiss Meditec), Chamberlain reported.

MRSE at baseline was 2.02 D in the test subjects and 2.19 D in the control subjects. MRSE progression in the test group was 0.40 D lower at 12 months and 0.54 D lower at 24 months, the researchers stated in their abstract.

Chamberlain said they saw 69% myopia control at 1 year and 59% percent at 2 years in the test group.

“The myopia control effect is as good in older kids as in younger kids,” he noted.

In addition, although the study was conducted on different continents, “ethnicity did not come out as a significant factor,” Chamberlain added.

At 2 years, “40% of the kids in the study had no progression or, in some cases, a reversal,” he said. “Nearly half of the kids had no change in axial length at 2 years.”

The dual-focus lens showed 60% control of spherical equivalent and 50% control of axial length, Chamberlain said.

“We think this data is pretty encouraging,” he said. “We look forward to continuing to look at it, especially with 3-year data coming next year. It certainly has slowed the progression of myopia better than single vision.” – by Nancy Hemphill, ELS, FAAO

Reference:

Chamberlain P, et al. Clinical evaluation of a dual-focus myopia control 1-day soft contact lens – 2-year results. Presented at: American Academy of Optometry meeting; Anaheim, Calif.; Nov. 8-13, 2016.

Disclosures: Chamberlain is employed by CooperVision, who sponsored the study.