Revolutionary New Glasses Approved by FDA to Slow Down Myopia in Children
By MATTHEW PERRONE, AP Health Writer
For many children, getting their first pair of glasses is a significant milestone, marking the beginning of a lifetime of visits to the eye doctor. However, a new type of lens approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September promises to not only correct vision but also help preserve the child’s vision and reduce the chances of more serious eye problems in adulthood.
Understanding Myopia and its Increasing Prevalence
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a condition where people can see objects clearly at close range but struggle with distant objects, which often appear blurry or indistinct. Studies conducted worldwide have shown a rise in myopia rates, which researchers attribute to increased time spent indoors looking at screens, books, and other objects held close to the eyes. In the United States, 30% to 40% of children will have myopia by the time they finish high school, according to Dr. Michael Repka, a professor and pediatric ophthalmologist at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Until now, doctors had limited options for treating myopia. The typical approach was to prescribe glasses and inform the child that they would need to live with the condition, which would likely worsen over time. However, the new lenses, sold under the brand Essilor Stellest, have been approved by the FDA to slow down myopia in 6- to 12-year-olds.
How the New Lenses Work
The FDA cleared the lenses based on company data showing a 70% reduction in the progression of myopia in children after two years. The lenses use 11 concentric rings filled with tiny raised dots to refocus light onto the retina, which is believed to slow down the elongation of the eye. This, in turn, can help reduce the risk of tears to the retina, cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachment, which can lead to blindness.
According to Dr. Rupa Wong, a Honolulu-based pediatric ophthalmologist, the potential benefits of the new lenses go beyond preserving vision. “Now we have a way to slow down the progression of myopia, and maybe we can prevent kids from having that really elongated eye that puts them at risk for blindness,” she said.
Cost and Availability
The suggested retail price for the new lenses is $450, according to EssilorLuxottica, the company that manufactures them. Major U.S. vision insurance providers are expected to cover the lenses for children who meet the prescribing criteria.
In comparison to older treatments, the new lenses offer a promising alternative. The only other FDA-approved product to slow down myopia is contact lenses made by a company called MiSight, which uses a similar approach. However, many parents and physicians may prefer the glasses due to concerns about putting young children in contact lenses.
Candidate Selection and Future Research
Under the FDA’s approval decision, the lenses can be prescribed to any child with myopia within the recommended age range. While the studies conducted in Asia showed promising results, some U.S. ophthalmologists and optometrists may want to see additional research before widely adopting the new lenses.
Dr. Repka, who is conducting a U.S.-based study of the new lenses supported by the National Institutes of Health, emphasized the need for more data. “I think before it becomes widely used, we will need some data in the United States showing that the lenses work,” he said.
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