Could a Contact Lens Slow Myopia Progression?

We’ve come a long way in the field of eye care and corrective lenses, and not many people still have to endure the Coke-bottle glasses we dealt with just a few decades ago. With the advent of new technologies like LASIK, some folk with nearsightedness (myopia) find that they are able to rely less and less upon corrective lenses.

But, did you know some contact lenses can slow myopia progression? In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the MiSight 1-day contact lenses by CooperVision to slow the progression of childhood myopia.

What is myopia?

Myopia occurs when the eye’s shape causes light in the eye to focus in front of the retina instead of on it. The result is blurry distance vision and close-up clear vision. Farsightedness focuses the light behind the retina, so distant objects are clear, but closer objects appear blurry.

Both of these conditions are known as “refractive errors” – the eye’s lens refracts (bends) light incorrectly onto the retina.

What is myopia management?

Single vision eyeglasses and contact lenses adjust the path of light entering the eye, refocusing it on the retina for improved visual acuity.

However, they don’t address the root cause of the problem — the misshapen eye.

The lens the FDA approved seeks to help slow myopia progression by reshaping the eye. When you have myopia, your eye is slightly longer than a healthy eye. These daily disposable contact lenses help prevent axial elongation in children. By dealing with that shape, eye care professionals can slow the progression of myopia. 

The effectiveness of MiSight single-use lenses was tested in a randomized clinical trial over a three-year period. No adverse effects were reported and at the end of the 3-year period, pediatric patients who used MiSight lenses had about 50% less change in eye shape and axial length than the patients using the Proclear control lenses. Studies have also shown that wearing dual-focus lenses (like MiSight) reduces myopia progression more than single-focus lenses.

These contact lenses have been approved for myopic children since their vision doesn’t continue worsening at the same rate. So, when their myopia stabilizes later in life, their vision is better than it would have been without any intervention.

When does myopia stabilize?

A study found that about 50% of myopia patients stabilize by age 15-16, 75% by 18, and 90% of myopic patients will have stabilized by 21.

Patients with high myopia (-5.00 diopters or more) tend to stabilize between 20 and 30.

Because myopia can continue progressing into your twenties, starting prevention early can slow down the elongation of axial length and decrease overall vision impairment.

What are the effects of myopia on eye health?

The prevalence of myopia worldwide is expected to be 54% by 2050. So many people have myopia that it seems commonplace. Still, it’s not just a nuisance to people dealing with glasses or contact lenses; complications can arise, especially if left untreated. 

Most of these are rare, but myopic macular degeneration, cataracts, and retinal detachment are real possibilities in the untreated myopic eye.

Since myopia usually manifests before 20, children face these problems and may not understand their seriousness. Indeed, more than 40% of American children deal with some form of myopia. Given that, managing the condition and slowing myopia progression serve real needs. But, how to slow down myopia?

What is corneal reshaping?

The idea of changing the shape of the misshapen eye has gained traction in the world of optometry. LASIK vision correction currently works by reshaping the cornea to correct refractive errors.

The MiSight lens works to flatten the front of the eye to change the focal point of light in the eye. 

Optometrists prescribe them to help slow down the progression of myopia, especially in children who meet the criteria for the lenses: they are between the ages of 8 and 12, and they have relatively mild myopia. Other corneal reshaping and myopia progression options exist, each working differently.

Other techniques for corneal reshaping

MiSight lenses are not the only path to corneal reshaping. Some glasses help slow myopia progression, and eye drops containing atropine have done the same.

Multifocal contact lenses can help slow myopia’s progression by focusing light from different angles at various points in the eye. Applying several prescription powers in one lens allows for these focal points. Studies have demonstrated that focusing peripheral light rays in front of the retina can slow eye growth which is how multifocal lenses aim to manage progression.

Since eye growth can result in the misshapenness of the myopic eye, slowing that growth can slow myopic progression.

Finally, orthokeratology (also known as Ortho-K) works to change the eye shape by wearing the corneal reshaping contacts at night. The next day, the modified shape of the eye holds for most of (if not all of) the day, giving the wearer clearer vision. 

MiSight vs. Ortho-K

As they are both types of myopia control contact lenses, MiSight contact lenses and Ortho-K lenses work on the same principle. However, they approach the work in another way. 

Ortho-K

Patients wear Ortho-K lenses overnight. They’re hard contact lenses, so they tend to be easier to insert than soft lenses (every soft contact lens wearer has dealt with the frustration of the lens folding over or turning itself inside out).

Ortho-K lenses can treat myopia up to -6.00 and also astigmatism. As they are tailored to the wearer, the cost of Ortho-K lenses is a bit higher than other corneal reshaping options.

MiSight

MiSight contact lenses, on the other hand, are more or less the opposite. They are soft lenses, patients wear them throughout the day, and they don’t address astigmatism.  While they can treat myopia up to -6.00, they are better suited for less severe cases.

Because MiSight myopia control lenses are not custom-fit, they are less expensive than Ortho-K lenses. Their lower costs also stem from their disposable, daily-wear nature—patients wear contact lenses for one day, throw them away, then put on a new pair the next day. This also means that a lost lens isn’t a huge deal since you will have spares.

Wearing MiSight lenses during the day and having no lenses at night can offer a healthier environment for the eye. Sleeping in lenses can create the possibility of infections and other issues related to having a lens in a closed eye for hours on end.

Wrapping up

Myopia nearsightedness is treatable, but simply wearing glasses only addresses the symptoms. With myopia-control contact lenses, optometrists have a pathway to manage the condition’s progression. By slowing myopia progression, eye care professionals help the eye stay closer to its intended shape, better focusing light on the retina. 

Assil Gaur Eye Institute is a leader in vision technology

At AGEI, you will experience a state-of-the-art health care facility that brings together revolutionary technologies with experienced vision care professionals. Our goal is to help you achieve your personal best vision.

Please call 866-945-2745 or visit us here to make an appointment online. If you are experiencing any concerning symptoms, contact us immediately to determine the best time to schedule an exam.

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We are conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area at locations in or near Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles.

References

Chamberlain P, et al. A 3-year randomized clinical trial of MiSight® lenses for myopia control. Optom Vis Sci. 2019;96(8):556–567.