May 4, 2026
Photo Credit: Getty Image
The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2026 Annual Meeting is being held in Denver, Colorado, from May 3-7, 2026.
Myopia management is one of the most popular research topics at the event, with many leaders in the industry sharing their myopia-related findings. While the meeting featured hundreds of presentations and posters on myopia management, Review of Myopia Management will be highlighting several noteworthy research findings throughout the event.
Here are some of the research highlights from day one of ARVO (Sunday, May 3, 2026).
Spectacles
Tsz Wing Leung, Wai Cheung Liu, Ming Hong Wong, Kai Yip Choi, Paul Lee, Carly S Y Lam, Natalia Vlasak
While previous meta-analyses have confirmed the overall efficacy of myopia control spectacle lenses (MCSLs), the relative effectiveness of different optical designs remains unclear. This review evaluates the comparative effectiveness of specific MCSL designs against single-vision lenses (SVLs) in slowing axial length (AL) elongation and spherical equivalent refraction (SER) progression in children. The extreme heterogeneity indicates that a single pooled estimate for all MCSLs is inappropriate and masks crucial design-specific differences. While microlens-based designs (SM, AM, CM) show consistent efficacy, evidence for NM and LE is inconclusive, and SH is limited to a single study. As this analysis relies on indirect comparisons against controls, future head-to-head RCTs are essential to validate novel designs and determine their relative effectiveness.
Rachel Ka-man Chun, Tsz Kin Law, Sze hoi Wan, Kenneth Ka King Liu, Ying Hon, Carly S Y Lam, Chi Ho To, Dennis Yan-yin Tse
To investigate the choroidal responses in children wearing Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments spectacle lenses with Triple Enhanced Design (DIMS TED)
Forty-five myopic schoolchildren with mean age (± SD) of 9.72 ± 1.80 years old were recruited. Baseline refraction, ChT and AL between treated and control eyes were comparable (paired t-test, p > 0.05). ChT increased significantly after 1 week of DIMS TED spectacle lens wear (mean change ± SEM at 1 week; DIMS TED vs. SV; 12.41 ± 2.14 µm vs. −1.72 ± 1.81 µm). The thickening continued at week 2 (13.45 ± 1.95 µm vs. −1.99 ± 2.24 µm). The choroidal thickening was still observed after DIMS TED spectacle lens was removed for 1 week. ChT returned to the baseline after 2 weeks of removal. After the first 4 weeks, both eyes were treated with DIMS TED spectacle lenses. ChT of both eyes significantly increased after 6 and 12 months of lens wear compared to the baseline. Changes in AL at 6 and 12 months were 0.03 ± 0.10 mm and 0.08 ± 0.16mm (mean ± SD), respectively.
Longqian Liu, Ke Wen, Bi Yang, Xiaohang Chen
This study presents the 6-month interim efficacy and safety results of two novel asymmetric multipoint defocus technique (AMDT) spectacle lenses in delaying the onset of myopia among pre-myopic children. Both AMDT spectacle lens designs, with or without a composite surface, significantly reduced myopic progression and axial elongation in pre-myopic children over 6 months, demonstrating comparable efficacy and excellent safety. These initial results highlight the potential of optical intervention in delaying myopia onset at a critical preclinical stage. Longer-term follow-up is warranted to determine whether this protective effect is sustained.
Jinhua Bao, XUE LI, Yingying Huang, Weilin Wu, Yuxin Chen, Qiushi Li
To investigate the effect of treatment initiation age on myopia control efficacy using spectacle lenses with different optical mechanisms over one year. Spectacle lenses with diffuser-only, myopic defocus-only, and dual-mechanism (diffuser/myopic defocus) designs all reduced myopia progression and axial elongation over one year, with the myopic defocus design showing better efficacy in slowing AL elongation in younger children with rapid progression.
Ruzhi Deng, Meiping Xu, Fuyue Tian, Suzhong Xu
To evaluate the efficacy of novel lenslet array-integrated refractive (HORI) lenses in controlling changes in spherical equivalent refraction (SE) and axial length (AL) in premyopic children, thereby providing a novel intervention for myopia prevention.
HORI lenses significantly decelerated axial elongation in premyopic children. SE stabilization correlated positively with daily wear duration, demonstrating enhanced efficacy with prolonged use. These findings suggest HORI lenses as a promising strategy for myopia control in premyopic children.
Der-Chong Tsai, Hsin-Yu Yang, Chiao Yu Wang, Yu-Chieh Yang
To evaluate the effectiveness of Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses in controlling pre-myopia progression in preschool children.
SER stability suggests a potential protective effect of DIMS lenses on refractive development in pre-myopic preschoolers. High adherence and consistent trends between wearing time and refractive outcomes further support the possible efficacy of DIMS lenses in mitigating early myopia-related changes. Larger, well-controlled studies are warranted to validate these findings and determine the long-term role of DIMS lenses in myopia prevention.
Ryo Kawasaki, Hidehito Matsuoka, Kiyotaka Hori, Shizuka Koh, Kohji Nishida
To determine the distribution and rate of change of myopic refractive errors based on spectacles purchase record from optical retailers in Japan.
This study estimated descriptive statistics for the refractive error distribution among spectacle wearers in Japan on an unprecedented scale. It suggests that myopia progression becomes significant from the early elementary school years.
Ann Ting Tan, Catherina Josephine Goenadi, Yien Lai, Janice Sing Harn Lam, Anne Seidemann, Isabel Schöllhorn, Andrea Welk, Yohann Benard, Chen-Hsin Sun, Raymond P. Najjar
To describe the study protocol and preliminary visual performance outcomes of a new myopia-control lens (MCL) design evaluated in a 2-year randomized, double-masked, controlled trial (NCT06816446) assessing myopia progression, visual performance, adaptation and comfort.
This is the first trial evaluating the efficiency of Rodenstock’s new myopia-control lens design with monitoring of objective outdoor-time and light-exposure. Preliminary findings show that the lenses do not impair visual performance. Additional results will be presented at ARVO 2026.
Xingyi Guo, Mengdi Li, Kailang Zhang, Yujia Lv, Wenli Lu, Xiaoqin Chen, Lihua Li
To investigate the myopia control efficacy of high order aberration diffusion (HOAD) spectacle lenses and defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses worn for 1 year in myopic children.
After 12 months of lens wear, both HOAD spectacle lenses demonstrated non-inferior myopia efficacy as compared to DIMS lenses.
Ee Woon Lim, Jie Shen, Graeme Young, Christopher Hunt, Bjorn Drobe
To analyze the effectiveness of the Essilor® Stellest® lens in slowing myopia progression across pre-specified subgroups based on age and baseline myopia from a 2-year US pivotal clinical trial. The Essilor® Stellest® lens demonstrated significant and consistent effectiveness in slowing myopia progression across all pediatric age groups, with the most pronounced effect observed in younger children. Furthermore, treatment efficacy was consistent regardless of the child’s baseline myopia.
Jane Fulton, Kathryn Saunders, Sara McCullough, Holly Barr, Susie Jones, Nicola S. Logan, Shahina Pardhan, Patrick Richardson, Yasmin Whayeb, Peter Williamson, Natalia Vlasak
The present study explored the effectiveness of Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses in controlling myopia over 3 years in UK children.
Compared with age-expected eye growth seen in untreated myopes, DIMS spectacle lenses continued to slow eye growth over a three-year period in most UK wearers. The observed effect aligns with existing research exploring DIMS spectacle lens wear in Asian paediatric cohorts.
Myopia Control with Spectacle Lenses with Highly Aspherical Lenslets (HAL)
Mark A. Bullimore, Olga Prenat
A new generation of myopia control spectacles has emerged, including spectacle lenses with highly aspherical lenslets (HAL). The goal of this review is to explore and summarize studies of HAL lenses.
Regardless of study design and location, axial elongation in children wearing HAL lenses is substantially lower than those wearing single vision lenses.
XUE LI, Yingying Huang, Bjorn Drobe, Hao Chen, Jinhua Bao
To investigate the myopia control efficacy of wearing spectacle lenses with highly aspherical lenslets (HAL) continuously for 7 years in Chinese myopic children.
Spectacle lenses with highly aspherical lenslets (HAL) were effective in slowing down myopia progression and axial elongation over seven years.
Lewis Marshall, Miriam Conway, David Edgar, Bruce Evans, Christopher Hull
Most myopia control trials are parallel group (between-subjects) trials. Within-subjects designs, where each participant acts as their own control, are more efficient. A paired-eye approach is appropriate for myopia control research because there is evidence that growth signals for axial elongation are localised within each eye. Allocating one lens type to each eye of a participant, if visually acceptable, would reduce participant numbers and – compared to a crossover trial – reduce the time taken to complete clinical trials.
The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the acceptability of paired-eye methodology for two myopia control spectacle lens designs versus single vision lenses, and to contrast their short-term performance and functional impact against each other.
Yiqiu Lu, Shuang Li, Xinjie Mao, Jia Qu
To preliminarily evaluate and compare the 3-month myopia control efficacy of a novel defocus-contrast dual-effect (DCDE) spectacle lens versus the clinically established defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) lens in Chinese myopic children aged 6–12 years.
Based on this preliminary 3-month result, the lens assigned to Group A showed a trend toward superior efficacy in slowing refractive progression compared to the lens assigned to Group B. Given the short follow-up period, these findings should be interpreted as early observations, and their long-term effectiveness and stability require confirmation with data from the complete trial follow-up. The results provide new insights for further investigation into the differential effects of optical designs on myopia control and their potential mechanisms, such as choroidal response.
Pupil size effect on myopia progression with contrast modulation spectacle lenses
David Webley, Jennifer S. Hill, Dan Green
The role of pupil size in myopia progression and myopia control spectacle lens efficacy is unclear. This study explored whether pupil size at baseline affects myopia control efficacy with Diffusion Optics Technology™ (DOT) spectacle lenses, where the central zone is 5mm.
With contrast management DOT lenses, no significant association was found between pupil size and the rate of myopia progression in children at 12-months. Additional research may help to understand whether pupil size has an impact on myopia control effect in alternative lens designs.
Real-World Effectiveness of Three Myopia-Control Spectacle Lens Designs in Children with Low Myopia
Chunming Liu, mengdi Li, Xiaoyan Yang, Zhenyuan Deng, Shijia Qu, Xiaoqin Chen, Lihua Li
To evaluate and compare the real-world effectiveness of three myopia-control spectacle lens designs in reducing axial elongation among children with low myopia.
In children aged 6–12 with low myopia, all three spectacle designs significantly reduced axial elongation compared to single-vision lenses (41%–54% reduction). HAL lenses demonstrated the most robust control effect across all age groups, enabling nearly one-third of children to maintain axial growth within physiological norms.
Xiao Nicole Liu, Xiangui He, Linlin Du,Min Tong, Jun Chen, Bo Zhang, Xinhui Huang, Wayne Li, Youhua Yang, Craig Woods, Arne Ohlendorf, Xun Xu, Padmaja Sankaridurg
To quantify the number of eyes that showed slower myopia progression when wearing a novel myopia control spectacle lens compared to single vision (SV) spectacles and, to identify risk factors associated with eyes did not show a reduction in progression with novel spectacle wear.
Results from this cross-over trial confirm that wearing TAMER lenses slows myopia in most eyes. Non-responders had lower subjective ratings for comfort at 6 months and a trend to less wearing time indicating that compliance may be an important factor in effectiveness of the lens.
Miguel Angel Sanchez Tena, Cristina Alvarez-Peregrina, Victor Fernandez-Fernandez, Nicole Liu, Wayne Li, Padmaja Sankaridurg, Arne Ohlendorf
To evaluate whether CARE spectacle lenses reduce the risk of rapid myopia progression compared to single vision lenses (SVL), and to identify baseline factors associated with progression risk
CARE lenses significantly reduce both the risk and severity of rapid myopia progression compared to SVL. Younger age consistently predicted higher risk across all models, with a stronger impact in SVL. CARE lenses lowered the proportion of rapid progressors and attenuated progression intensity, with significantly smaller changes in SE and AL, supporting their use as an effective intervention in pediatric myopia management
Six-month myopia control efficacy of five novel spatially variant, defocus spectacles
Padmaja Sankaridurg, Linlin Du, Min Tong, Jinliuxing Yang, Jun Chen, Bo Zhang, Xinhui Huang, Nicole Liu, Youhua Yang, Arne Ohlendorf, Xun Xu, Xiangui He
To evaluate the effectiveness of novel ZEISS spectacle lenses (SPL) in slowing myopia progression compared to a single vision (SV) SPL.
Novel SPLs employing optical defocus slow myopia progression. While all test lenses significantly reduced myopia progression, lens III, which incorporates randomly arranged cylindrical elements, demonstrated high efficacy.
Two-year evolution of Cylindrical Annular Refractive Elements (CARE) lens efficacy
Cristina Alvarez-Peregrina, Miguel Angel Sanchez Tena, Victor Fernandez-Fernandez, Nicole Liu, Wayne Li, Padmaja Sankaridurg, Arne Ohlendorf
To quantify changes in spherical equivalent (SE) and axial length (AL) during two years of wear with CARE spectacle lenses versus single-vision lenses (SVL).
CARE lenses demonstrated sustained efficacy in slowing myopia progression in European children over 24 months. The treatment effect on SE remained consistent across both years, while AL differences showed slight attenuation in Year 2. Younger age at initiation predicted stronger suppression in Year 2. These findings provide the first randomized clinical trial evidence in Europe supporting CARE spectacle lenses as an effective, age-robust option for long-term myopia management.
Jie Shen, Graeme Young, Christopher Hunt, Bjorn Drobe
The Essilor® Stellest® lens has been authorized in many countries based on non-US clinical data. This study aimed to evaluate its safety and effectiveness for myopia control in a US pediatric population to support US market authorization.
The 2-year results of this pivotal trial demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the Essilor® Stellest® lens in slowing myopia progression within a diverse US pediatric population. These findings formed the basis for FDA marketing authorization.
Visual Field Performance of the Novel DIMS TED Spectacle Lens Versus Single Vision Spectacle Lens
Carly S Y Lam, Kenneth Ka King Liu, Han Yu Zhang, Hua Qi, Keigo Hasegawa, Shohei Matsuoka, Daisy Ka Yan Leung, Dennis Yan-yin Tse, Chi Ho To
This study evaluates the visual field performance of DIMS TED spectacle lens with smaller central optical zone, increased defocus power and extended defocus treatment zone based on the Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segment (DIMS) spectacle lens design, compared to Single Vision (SV) spectacle lens.
The newly developed DIMS TED lens did not alter children’s sensitivity to static stimulus within 30o visual field compared with SV spectacle lens. However, some isolated locations showed reduced sensitivity, and a small reduction in mid-peripheral NVA was observed with the DIMS TED spectacle lens.
Contact Lenses
Alex Nixon, Xu Cheng, Jie Xu, Emily Hester-Hotte, Augustine Nyarko Nti, Wei Pan, Weizhong Lan
Abiliti™ 1-Day (A1D, senofilcon A) is a daily disposable soft contact lens featuring an optical design intended to slow myopia progression and axial elongation in children. We conducted a prospective, single-arm, 24-month study to evaluate myopia progression in Chinese children wearing A1D lenses, and compared their myopia progression with an external control group created from real-world data (i.e., real-world control, RWC).Based on descriptive summaries over 24 months, Chinese children wearing A1D lenses had numerically less axial elongation and myopia progression compared with a demographically similar, real-world control group. The findings from this study and the RWC support the effectiveness of A1D lenses as a myopia management option.
Alexia Martinez Caro1, Pau Artus Colomer, Rocio Rodriguez, Laura Costa Ferrer, Melisa Sarbina Subero Rivero, Santiago Soler Monente
To evaluate the short-term comfort and visual perception of two Highly Unsymmetric Peripheral Defocus Lens (HUPDL) prototypes in children.
Both prototypes showed good short-term comfort and visual performance. Comfort improved HUPDL-H, while HUPDL-E offered more stable far-vision and swim-effect control. Near-vision performance remained strong, and aesthetics were favorable for both. Despite HUPDL-H providing a wider visual field, preference shifted toward HUPDL-E, suggesting dynamic visual stability may outweigh initial comfort. Both types of lenses demonstrated a consistent pattern of results across all measured variables. However, when analyzing the subjective assessments in detail, a slight trend emerges suggesting greater perceived comfort with HUPDL-H; individual factors likely influenced subjective responses.
Sergio Díaz-Gómez, Mercedes Burgos-Martínez, Padmaja Sankaridurg, Monica Velasco-De La Fuente, Elena Durán Prieto, Jesús Carballo
To evaluate the progression of myopia as assessed by change in axial length (AL) and spherical equivalent (SE) from baseline in white children with progressing myopia (>0.75D progression in the last year) wearing extended depth of focus soft contact lenses (EDOF-CL) compared to distance single-vision spectacles over a 5-year period.
EDOF-CL wear reduced myopia progression, assessed as axial elongation and spherical equivalent, compared to distance single-vision spectacles after 5 years of follow-up.
Kuang-mon Ashley Ashley Tuan, Scott Novak, Sally M. Dillehay
The PROTECT study (NCT05159765) was a prospective, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The investigational lens, a daily disposable soft contact lens (NVMF), incorporates a distance-center aspheric multifocal design delivering ~+8.00 D of relative plus in the mid-periphery. Its smooth, rapid power transition produces a catenary-shaped power profile intended to deliver visual comfort while reducing myopia progression. The control was a single-vision daily disposable lens of the same material (etafilcon A). Measures included baseline cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction (CSER), baseline axial length (AXL), change of CSER, change of AXL, clinical and family history, and lifestyle exposures. Gradient Boosting Machine–based models ranked the importance of variables predicting 2-year progression.
Ranjila Shyangbo, Sarah Singh
Myopia often stabilizes by late adolescence, yet recent longitudinal studies show that refractive changes continue into adulthood, with an average progression of approximately 1.00 diopter (D) over ten years. Multifocal soft contact lenses (MFSCLs) are well established for pediatric myopia control, but their effectiveness in adults remains uncertain, despite being commonly prescribed off-label. This retrospective clinical study evaluated the one-year change in spherical refractive error (RE), based on non-cycloplegic contact lens refraction, in young adult myopes wearing MFSCLs compared to those wearing single-vision soft contact lenses (SVSCLs).
Adult myopes in this cohort showed measurable one-year refractive change, with greater progression in SVSCL wearers than in MFSCL wearers. Both mean refractive change and progression proportions differed significantly, suggesting that myopia may continue into adulthood and that MFSCLs may offer a protective effect. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and evaluate the role of MFSCLs in adult myopia management.
Pauline Kang, Rebecca Dang, Mimi vi, Alex Hui, Nancy Briggs, Isabelle Jalbert
Acuvue Oasys for Presbyopia (AOP; Johnson & Johnson) has a comparable optical power profile to the myopia control MiSight 1-Day (CooperVision) soft contact lens. This non-inferiority contralateral eye study compared the effect of daily disposable wear of these lenses for 12-months on myopia progression in Australian children.
Difference in axial elongation between eyes treated for 12 months with the AOP and MiSight lens exceeded the non-inferiority margin while differences in SER were within the margin. These results indicate that the AOP lens had comparable clinical performance to the MiSight lens in Australian children.
Pablo De Gracia, Sergio Díaz-Gómez, Mercedes Burgos-Martínez, Monica Velasco-De La Fuente, Elena Durán Prieto, Jesús Carballo
To compare the three-year progression of myopia—assessed through changes in axial length (AL) and spherical equivalent refraction (SE)—in astigmatic caucasian children with progressive myopia fitted with extended depth-of-focus soft toric contact lenses (EDOF-toric CL) versus those wearing single-vision toric distance spectacles.
Three years of wear of extended depth-of-focus soft toric contact lenses resulted in significantly reduced myopic progression compared to monofocal toric distance spectacles. These findings support the clinical utility of EDOF-toric designs for myopia management in children with concurrent astigmatism.
Low-dose Atropine
A Prospective longitudinal comparison of 0.05% Low-Dose Atropine and Dual-Focus Contact Lenses for Myopia control efficacy
Noreen Shaikh, Magdalena Stec
We previously reported on a retrospective comparison on the efficacy of 0.05% low-dose atropine (LDA) and dual-focus contact lenses (DFCL). We found no statically significant difference in the efficacy of each treatment as measured by change in spherical equivalent and/or axial length. However, due to its retrospective nature, the LDA group was significantly younger than the DFCL group. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of LDA and DFCL in children 8 to <13 years old with at least 0.50 diopters of myopia over an 18-month period.
Jan Roelof Polling, Dirk Jan van Hemert, Kübra Liman, Judith S. den Hartog, Wieneke P. Koppenol, Martine Hordijk-de Boer, Magda A. Smoor, Caroline C W Klaver
To quantify two-year axial length (AL) and refractive (SER) progression in the Myopia Atropine Dose (MAD) randomized clinical trial and identify which baseline characteristics predict remaining growth under atropine.
Two-year axial elongation under atropine was modest, and treatment discontinuation was low. Within this cohort, age was the only independent predictor of remaining axial growth, while baseline axial length, baseline refractive error, and sex were not significantly associated with progression. Refractive change did not have meaningful baseline predictors, supporting axial length as the more robust outcome measure. Our results suggest an overall myopia-controlling effect of the trial interventions. Unmasking the treatment arms in the coming years will allow evaluation of potential dose-dependent differences in efficacy.
Combination Therapy
Hsin-Yu Yang, Der-Chong Tsai, Yu-Chieh Yang, Chiao Yu Wang, Mong-Ping Shyong
To evaluate the efficacy of 0.01% atropine and Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) lenses in preventing myopia onset and progression among preschool children with a family history of myopia. Both 0.01% atropine and DIMS lenses effectively stabilized early refractive development in high-risk premyopic preschool children. Atropine mainly reduced myopia incidence, whereas DIMS significantly reduced rapid progression. These findings support early, structured interventions as feasible and effective strategies for myopia prevention.
Efficacy of Combined Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target (HALT) Spectacles and Low-Dose Atropine in Children With Poor Response to Atropine Monotherapy Over 24 Months
Bryan Sim
To evaluate 24-month efficacy of combining HALT spectacle lenses with low-dose atropine (LDA) in children who showed rapid myopia progression on atropine alone, and to assess whether adjusting atropine concentration affected treatment response.
Combination HALT-atropine therapy maintained meaningful efficacy over 24 months, with progression remaining well below pre-treatment levels. Outcomes were similar whether atropine concentration was maintained or adjusted, suggesting clinicians can titrate atropine while preserving treatment effect. Longer follow-up is needed to assess durability.
Hozan Zebari, Magda A. Smoor, Anahit Komrojan, Silan Adanc, Leyan Li, Jan Roelof Polling, Caroline C W Klaver
High-dose atropine is highly effective in reducing myopia progression in children, yet some children may require even greater control of eye growth. This study aimed to determine whether combining high-dose atropine with dual-focus soft contact lenses may provide additional efficacy beyond high dose atropine with spectacles accounting for side effects.
In this real-world cohort, both the atropine-DFCL and the atropine-PMS group exhibited minimal axial elongation, with no statistically significant differences between them. Whether combining atropine with DFCL offers meaningful benefit for children responding poorly to atropine monotherapy remains an intriguing question for future investigation.
Repeated Low-Level Red Light Therapy
Choroidal changes in myopic patients undergoing Repeated low-level red-light therapy
Shreyaa Rohindra Lall, Niroj Kumar Sahoo, Adarsh Gadari, Sharat Vupparaboina1, Sandeep Bollepalli, Kiran Kumar Vupparaboina, Jay Chhablani, José-Alain Sahel, Jagrut Lallu
Repeated low-level red-light therapy (RLRL) is an emerging treatment option to slow myopic progression, especially in a younger population. It mimics outdoor light exposure, by delivering short duration 650nm red light directly to the retina. We analysed longitudinal changes in choroidal thickness (CT) and the choroidal vascular index (CVI) in subjects as a response to RLRL over the course of 6 months.
Results showed a significant early increase in CT, that stabilized by 6 months, while CVI remained unchanged, suggesting that RLRL facilitates structural change in the choroid that could contribute towards slowing down myopic progression, without altering vascularity. Further studies with longer follow-up and control comparisons are warranted to clarify the mechanisms underlying the structural response.
Axial Length
Does Contrast Polarity Influence Axial Length in Myopic Eyes?
Chi Hang Yue, Ying Lam Chan, Xiaona Ping, Padmaja Sankaridurg
Evidence suggests that contrast polarity may affect choroidal thickness, a biomarker associated with myopia progression; however, its impact on axial length remains unclear. This study investigated if short-term exposure to different contrast polarities delivered via a head-mounted display virtual reality (VR) induced any measurable axial length change among myopic individuals.
Short-term exposure to different contrast polarities in a VR environment did not elicit significant axial length changes in myopic young adults. Further investigations with larger samples and prolonged exposure may be needed to clarify if contrast polarity influences axial length change.
Langis Michaud, Patrick Simard, Melissa Chabane, Remy Marcotte Collard
The Montreal Experience model (ME) in myopia management (MM) emphasizes control of environment, binocular vision, and blur. This study assessed the model’s reproducibility and effectiveness when implemented across two clinical settings.
The ME model applied in a private practice or at a university clinic (referral center) helped to keep AL progression below physiologic growth. Younger, fast-progressing participants were also well controlled, especially when using OK. All strategies were highly effective, with contact lenses providing marginally stronger control than spectacles. Results support the use of ME model’s in diverse settings.
How Long Is Too Long? Establishing the Axial Length Threshold for High Myopia
Ernest Nkansah, Gareth Lingham, James Loughman, Wei Pan, Weizhong Lan, David A. Mackey, Emmanuel Kobia-Acquah, Ian Flitcroft
To determine evidence-based, axial length (AL) thresholds corresponding to the refractive definition of high myopia (spherical equivalent refraction [SER] ≤ –6.00D) in adults, accounting for sex, region, and body height.
AL thresholds corresponding to the refractive threshold of high myopia (≤ -6D), need to be sex-specific. Percentile analysis showed greater consistency than regression methods and ensures matching high myopia prevalence with refractive and axial criteria. Recommended adult axial thresholds are 25.9 mm for females and 26.4 mm for males. Further adjustment for height and population may be warranted.
Behavioral Factors
Association of smartphone and tablet use with myopia and high myopia in adults
Ebenezer Zaabaar, Kendrick Co Shih, Christopher Kai-Shun Leung, Xiu Juan Zhang
While smartphone and tablet use has been associated with myopia in paediatric and young adult populations, evidence of their effects on myopia and high myopia in adults is limited. We conducted this cross-sectional study to characterize the association of digital smart device screen time with myopia severity in adults and identify potential risk thresholds for preventive strategies.
Smartphone and tablet usage showed graded associations with myopia and high myopia in adults, with threshold effects emerging at ≥2 hours/day. These findings highlight screen time as a modifiable risk factor for myopia and high myopia in adults, as well as suggest practical limits for lifestyle modifications, clinical recommendations, and public health guidance.
Baseline Visual Experience Results from the Childhood Activity and Myopia Study
Elise N. Harb, Varun Verma, Anthony Iskander, Karyss Mendes, yoofi mensah, Christine Frances Wildsoet
To summarize the baseline ocular and visual-environment characteristics of children enrolled in the Childhood Activity and Myopia (CAM) Study, which aims to characterize habitual indoor and outdoor visual environments and investigate their role in myopia development and/or progression in children aged 6-10 years.
Based on objective assessments of their visual environment, myopic children in this cohort engaged in indoor reading and homework at higher dioptric demand and showed more variable spectral irradiance exposure during screen time than non-myopes. Future analyses are required to determine if these baseline differences are related to myopia onset and/or progression over the 1-year study period.
Credibility of Evidence on the Effectiveness of Myopia Control Interventions in Children and Adolescents
Yuzhou Zhang, Ebenezer Zaabaar, Yuelan Gao, Clement C. Tham, Calvin C P Pang, Li Jia Chen, Jason Yam
Although numerous meta-analyses have evaluated the efficacy of various myopia control interventions, no study has quantitatively assessed the credibility of the evidence they provide. This study aims to assess the methodological quality and credibility of evidence of meta-analyses on myopia control interventions in children and adolescents.
Only a subset of myopia control interventions were found to have high credibility of evidence. However, the critically low methodological quality of the meta-analyses renders the evidence largely unreliable and prevents clear conclusions about the true effects of interventions, offering limited and potentially misleading guidance. More rigorous meta-syntheses are needed to generate higher-quality evidence to inform myopia control promotion strategies.
Clinical Trials
Megan Jacobson, Lily Islam, Sarah Gorst, Helen Baker, Nicholas Freemantle, Carol Rivas, Augusto Azuara-Blanco, Annegret Dahlmann-Noor
Myopia in children is an increasing public health concern, with earlier onset, faster progression, and greater severity than in previous generations, raising the risk of serious vision complications in adulthood. To support consistent and comparable clinical trial design, this study aimed to develop a standardised Core Outcome Set (COS) for reporting outcomes of myopia management interventions in children and young people (CYP).
Through a modified multi-modal Delphi process, COSMYC established an agreed core outcome set to be included in future trials of myopia interventions in children and young people, enabling more consistent outcome reporting and improved comparability across studies.
