Special Contact Lenses Show Lasting Benefits in Slowing Myopia Progression in Youth

A recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reveals that special contact lenses designed to slow the progression of myopia in children have a lasting impact, even after the lenses are no longer worn in the teenage years. The findings, published in JAMA Ophthalmology, provide significant evidence supporting the early adoption of these lenses to reduce long-term vision risks associated with severe myopia.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. This condition leads to poor distance vision, and while single-vision lenses correct the issue, they do not address the underlying problem of abnormal eye growth. Multifocal contact lenses, however, address both distance vision and peripheral light focus, slowing the elongation of the eye. With rates of myopia rising globally, partly attributed to increased screen time, controlling its progression during childhood is crucial to reducing future risks of complications such as retinal detachment and glaucoma.

The NIH study followed children who wore high-add multifocal lenses for two years and then transitioned to single-vision lenses for a third year. Results showed that after discontinuing the multifocal lenses, the rate of eye growth returned to age-appropriate levels. While a slight increase in eye growth was noted, children who initially wore the high-add lenses maintained shorter eye lengths and less myopia compared to those who had used single-vision lenses or started multifocal treatment later.

The original clinical trial, Bifocal Lenses In Nearsighted Kids (BLINK), enrolled 294 children aged 7 to 11 years. Participants were assigned to wear either single-vision lenses or multifocal lenses with varying levels of add power. Findings demonstrated that the high-add multifocal lenses were most effective in slowing both eye growth and myopia progression. The follow-up study, BLINK2, confirmed that the benefits of multifocal lenses persist even after discontinuation, making them an effective long-term strategy for managing myopia in youth.

Multifocal contact lenses work by focusing light in two ways: the central portion corrects nearsightedness for clear distance vision, while the outer ring focuses peripheral light in front of the retina. Animal studies suggest this positioning slows eye growth. Experts recommend fitting children with multifocal lenses early and continuing treatment into their late teenage years when myopia progression typically stabilizes.

The research underscores the importance of advancing early intervention methods to address rising rates of myopia and prevent severe complications later in life. The study received funding from the NIH’s National Eye Institute, which aims to improve vision health and reduce vision loss through innovative research.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors.

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