FDA Approves First Contact Lens Indicated to Slow Progression of Myopia in Children

The FDA approved the first contact lens indicated to slow the progression of myopia in children between the ages of 8 and 12 years old at the initiation of treatment. The MiSight contact lens made by CooperVision is a single use, disposable, soft contact lens that is discarded at the end of each day, and is not intended to be worn overnight.

When placed on the eye, one part of the MiSight contact lens corrects the refractive error to improve distance vision in nearsighted eyes, similar to a standard corrective lens. In addition, concentric peripheral rings in the lens focus part of the light in front of the retina (the back of the eye). This is believed to reduce the stimulus causing the progression of myopia.

The trial showed that for the full 3-year period, the progression in myopia of those wearing MiSight lenses was less than those wearing conventional soft contact lenses. 

Three-year peer-reviewed results published in Optometry and Vision Science in August 2019 indicated that use of MiSight 1 day was shown to slow myopia progression 59%.

Generally, myopia first occurs in school-age children and progresses until about age 20.   41.9% of U.S. children ages 5-19 are myopic.9 This is due in part to changing lifestyles, with children spending less time outdoors and more time spent focusing on close objects such as digital screens.

MiSight 1 day will launch in the United States as part of a CooperVision myopia management initiative beginning in March 2020.