Lens Shown To Reduce Myopia In Children

Scientists in Hong Kong have designed spectacle lenses to slow myopic progression in children.

AsianScientist (May 1, 2018) – Researchers from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have developed a lens that may slow down the progress of myopia in children.

Myopia affects approximately one in three individuals globally, and by 2050, 50 percent of the world’s population may be myopic. While conventional eyeglasses can adjust vision for mild myopia, there is a need to devise methods that can better correct myopia and slow its progression.

In this study, researchers led by Professors Carly Lam and To Chi-ho of the School of Optometry at PolyU designed a Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) Spectacle Lens that could correct myopia and astigmatism.

The DIMS Spectacle Lenses comprise a central optical zone surrounded by multiple segments of constant myopic defocus. By simultaneously providing clear vision and myopic defocus for the wearer at all viewing distances, the lens makes use of a homeostatic mechanism known as emmetropization, whereby the eyeball adapts to receive focused images.

“With the DIMS Spectacle Lens, we are able to put in many micro-lenses all over the surface of the ophthalmic lens. When the eye moves around different regions of the spectacle lens, the eye still experiences a constant amount of myopic defocus,” To explained.

A total of 160 Chinese children aged 8 to 13, with myopia from 1 to 5 diopters (D), and astigmatism and anisometropia of 1.5 D or less completed a randomized double-blinded clinical trial from August 2014 to July 2017.

Children wearing the DIMS Spectacle Lenses had myopic progression reduced by 59 percent and showed axial elongation of 60 percent as compared with those wearing the single vision lenses. In addition, the trial also showed that 21.5 percent of the children in the treatment group had no myopic progression, compared to 7.4 percent of the children in the control group.

“High myopia can cause retinal complications. The serious case could be a retinal detachment that may result in permanent blindness or visual impairment. The DIMS Spectacle Lens helps safeguard the vision of children,” said Lam.

The DIMS Spectacle Lens has been licensed to a lens company experienced in eyeglass lenses and will be available in the market in this summer.

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Source: Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Photo: Shutterstock.
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