For many parents around the globe, myopia, more commonly known as near-sightedness, has been a major concern in recent years. In my other blog post for Miyosmart lenses, I give an in-depth explanation of what myopia is, and why myopia progression is a concern. Annual eye examinations are recommended for children of school age and our optometrists at Della Optique strive to create a fun and memorable eye exam experience for children of all ages. For more on the importance of pediatric eye exams, here’s another good article from our blog.

Over the past few years, many companies have invested heavily into research and development around myopia control therapy. There are now many options for myopia control therapies. By way of example, Miyosmart lenses by Hoya, Orthokeratology lenses, atropine eye drops, and multifocal soft contact lenses are a few.

These different types of therapies have their pros and cons of course, and depending on lifestyle and more, parents and children should decide together upon a myopia management plan that best suits their needs. For example, orthokeratology lenses are hard RGP lenses that have to be worn while asleep. The idea of an object in your child’s eyes while they sleep can be quite concerning for some parents. To decide upon a course of action for your child, I recommend a thorough discussion with your optometrist about the available therapies. Only then can you decide which myopia management treatment would be most suitable. I will attempt to define some clarity around the MiSight 1 day option below.

I must add that at Della Optique, our optometrists are certified Eye Care Practitioners trained to prescribe and dispense MiSight 1 day soft contact lenses, having successfully completed the training prescribed by CooperVision.

MiSight Contact Lenses

MiSight contact lens is a soft contact lens that is clinically proven to slow down the progression of myopia. As a contact lens goes, this option is easy to fit. It’s a single-use lens that children can wear throughout the entire day, and then change the lens out at the end of the day. While other soft contact lenses on the market simply correct for refractive error, MiSight contact lenses have the added benefit of having ActivControlTM Technology integrated into the lens. This ActivControlTM Technology is clinically proven to slow down myopia progression by 59% when compared to a single vision one-day lens; and also slows down the axial elongation of the eye by an average of 52%.1.

A three-year randomized clinical study was done to compare the efficacy of MiSight contacts compared to a standard single vision one-day soft contact lens. Here are a few charts that reveal some interesting results as far as reduced changes in axial lengthening and slowed spherical equivalent refractive error in test subjects.

Change in Spherical Equivalent Refractive Error (SERE):

With MiSight, we also saw 52% reduction in average axial lengthening1†

Change in axial length:

How Do MiSight Lenses Work?

Interestingly, there are four concentric optical zones in MiSight 1 day lenses. Two treatment zones create myopic defocus with image focus in front of the retina, rather than behind it to slow axial elongation. And two correction zones correct myopia in all gaze positions.

Are MiSight Contact Lenses Worth It?

Yes! This contact lens can be a great option for children who are interested in pursuing soft contact lenses and who also want the added benefit of myopia control therapy. Rather than go into a regular soft contact lens that merely corrects for the refractive error, I emphasize the potential long-term patient benefit available from a specialized contact lens which has been clinically proven to slow down myopia progression and axial length elongation.

However, like all other myopia control therapies, the ultimate goal is to slow down the progression of nearsightedness. In the best-case scenario, the progression of myopia can even be halted. If there is a strong family history of myopia or if large increases in myopia are seen at your child’s annual eye exams, it is most definitely worthwhile to pursue myopia control therapies early on in their life.

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Who Makes MiSight Contact Lenses?

MiSight contact lenses are manufactured by CooperVision, one of the world’s leading companies for contact lens products. Other soft contact lenses by CooperVision include the Biofinity, MyDay, Clariti, and Proclear range of contacts lenses.

When Can Children Start Misight Soft Contact Lenses?

This is a multi-faceted question because the answer varies from child to child. I have successfully started children as young as eight years old in soft contact lenses. However, I do also get children who are greater than ten years old and who have difficulty inserting and removing their soft contact lenses. This is why Della Optique’s optometrists and contact lens specialists take extra care in providing a thorough contact lens orientation lesson to set your child up for a good start. For many children, inserting a foreign object into their eyes can be quite frightening. With proper education and by following a step-by-step process, we can provide them with a contact lens lesson program that fosters their success.

To realize the most benefit from the ActivControlTM Technology, I find it is best to start children with Misight contact lenses when they are between eight to twelve years old. MiSight contact lenses are part of the Brilliant Futures Myopia Management program and have been available in Canada since late 2020.

Booking an Appointment

To schedule your child’s next eye examination, and to discover whether MiSight contact lenses may be a good option for them, visit our online booking page to make an appointment.

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