May 12, 2021
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ACUVUE Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses, Johnson & Johnson Vision’s orthokeratology contact lens for the management of myopia. This FDA approval stems from the collaboration of Johnson & Johnson with Menicon to bring forward therapeutic contact lenses for the treatment of myopia under the newly introduced ACUVUE Abiliti brand. This is the first and only FDA approved orthokeratology contact lens for the management of myopia (as opposed to the temporary reduction of myopia).
“The FDA approval of Abiliti Overnight marks an important milestone in our commitment to help change the trajectory of eye health and reshape the future of children with myopia,” said Xiao-Yu Song, MD, PhD, Global Head of Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson Vision‡. “We look forward to supporting parents and eye care professionals in their care of children with comprehensive resources, starting with Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses, and continuing with additional products and services to address the progression of myopia.”
Abiliti Overnight will be available in two different contact lens designs: Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses and Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses for Astigmatism to correct various combinations of corneal shapes and refractive error. Abiliti Overnight contact lenses are optimized by the use of corneal topography, refractive error, and other measurements connected to an innovative fitting software. The software is a sophisticated and user-friendly tool that provides a precise measure of the corneal shape, and accurately guides the eye care professional through the fitting process for consistent and successful first fit rates of approximately 90%§.
“The prevalence of myopia in children is increasing, and as optometrists we are on the front lines of this epidemic that may threaten the vision of future generations,” said Moshe Mendelson, OD, FIAO.** “For too long we have relied on increasing the prescription of glasses for children, while having few resources to address the underlying disease and help change this worrying trajectory of eye health. The FDA approval of Abiliti Overnight will provide eye care professionals and parents with more options to manage myopia.”
Each annual purchase of an Abiliti product will provide a free comprehensive eye health exam to a child in need through Sight for Kids — a joint program from Johnson & Johnson Vision and the not-for-profit program from the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF).
Abiliti Overnight contact lenses are expected to be available in the U.S. by the end of 2021. To learn more about future products and services from Johnson & Johnson Vision to help manage the progression of myopia, visit www.seeyourabiliti.com.
References:
‡Dr. Xiao-Yu Song, MD, PhD, is an employee of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., with oversight of Research and Development for both the Surgical Vision and Vision Care organizations.
§Final lens fit is determined by the ECP – software is a decision support only.
**Dr. Moshe Mendelson is a paid consultant of Johnson & Johnson Vision, Inc.
