November 4, 2021
BOSTON — During a press event at the American Academy of Optometry’s (AAO) 2021 meeting, Visioneering Technologies Inc. (VTI) shared several updates, including information about the company’s personnel and products.
Six-Year Data from NaturalVue Multifocal Study
VTI announced the results from an extensive, retrospective cohort analysis spanning six years on the impact of NaturalVue contact lenses on children with myopia.
The data showed that 95% of subjects wearing NaturalVue MF experienced a decrease in myopia progression as compared to baseline; additionally, 78% of wearers showed a decrease in myopia progression of 70% or greater. The average myopia progression slowed by approximately 0.85D or 85% compared to baseline, which was statistically significant at all points in time (P<0.05.) The average myopia progression while wearing NaturalVue MF never exceeded more than about 0.25D from baseline.
The average axial elongation change was approximately 0.10 mm per year through 47 months of follow-up, which approximates that which is expected for a non-myopic child of a similar age range1 and shows that NaturalVue MF contact lenses help to reduce the anatomical cause of myopia progression.2 To be able to compare the effectiveness of NaturalVue MF to changes observed in children not wearing the lenses, an age- and ethnicity-matched virtual control group (N=188) developed from 63 randomized clinical trials was used.3-7
This retrospective analysis shows real-world results with the NaturalVue Multifocal 1 Day contact lens in slowing or stopping myopia progression, and for the first time, it shows the impact of NaturalVue MF in slowing axial length growth in myopic children. These data are helpful to eye care practitioners and parents in deciding which intervention to recommend for a patient.
“Nearly five billion people are predicted to be affected by myopia by 2050,8 with a large number of them being children. Combined with the enormous medical and economic costs of treating serious eye diseases that potentially come with myopia, myopia deserves the respect of a global epidemic,” said Stephen Snowdy, PhD, VTI CEO and Executive Director. “These data combined with VTI’s recently granted patents in the U.S. and China, and other major markets, further strengthen VTI’s position as a leader in managing myopia in children.”
New NaturalVue Enhanced Multifocal Lens
VTI announced a new product: the NaturalVue (etafilcon A) Enhanced Multifocal 1 Day contact lenses. These new lenses feature the TripleTear Lubrication System and a new Ultra-Tapered Edge.
VTI’s new NaturalVue Enhanced Multifocal 1 day contact lenses feature TripleTear Lubrication and an Ultra-Tapered Edge.
For myopes, unique characteristics and high visual demands of computer and digital screen viewing, especially when wearing contact lenses, can contribute to vision-related problems and discomfort.9 NaturalVue Enhanced Multifocal may help to address contact lens discomfort while delivering unique optics for patients, no matter their age.
Enhanced with two comfort innovations, NaturalVue Enhanced Multifocal employs the TripleTear Lubrication System and features a new Ultra-Tapered Edge. The TripleTear Lubrication System utilizes three comfort agents, including hyaluronic acid, that work together to provide hydration and lubrication, lock in moisture, and maintain a clean surface to stabilize tears. The new Ultra-Tapered Edge is designed for optimal fit and comfort, and to help the natural circulation of tears around the lens. Additionally, the lens has a Class 2 UV blocker for an added layer of protection.*
NaturalVue Enhanced Multifocal 1 Day Contact Lenses are a daily disposable modality with a full power range: +4.00D to -12.00D in 0.25D steps. The U.S. rollout will continue into 2022, with a global launch planned to follow.
Dr. Tuan Named Chief Medical Officer
VTI also announced that Kuang-mon (Ashley) Tuan, OD, PhD, FAAO, has been named the new Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Tuan will be responsible for managing clinical research studies, such as the NaturalVue (etafilcon A) Multifocal randomized clinical trial for myopia progression control in children, helping identify and develop new products, and leading efforts to communicate findings in key journals and scientific meetings. Dr. Tuan will also lead VTI’s Professional Services team as it communicates technical information on products and initiatives to eye care professionals.
Kuang-mon (Ashley) Tuan, OD, PhD, FAAO
Dr. Tuan’s professional career encompasses 27 years’ experience and includes a strong background in clinical and vision research in areas such as myopia, higher order aberrations, presbyopia, refractive surgeries, and age-related macular degeneration. Most recently, as Vice President of Mojo Vision, a smart contact lens company, Dr. Tuan focused on medical use cases, contact lens platform product strategy, and contact lens system Research & Development, with oversight of Clinical, Regulatory, Medical, and Professional Affairs. While at CooperVision, Dr. Tuan was part of the team that delivered the three-year study that enabled the launch of MiSight 1 day contact lenses for myopia control.
“I am thrilled to be joining VTI and returning to the field of myopia management. My career has been focused on translating research and technology, to advancing various sectors of vision care,” said Dr. Tuan. “The vision care industry is entering a new evolution phase and a fascinating period of growth. Together with the VTI team, I am looking forward to the exciting journey of defining an ecosystem and delivering solutions for the vision care community with the goal of reducing the risk of myopia-related visual impairment globally.”
In an effort to support practitioners in their efforts to adopt myopia management into their practices, VTI also announced it will be launching MyPath, an online location for ECPs to access the educational resources and tools necessary to implement comprehensive myopia management. The company has assembled educational and communication resources for children, parents, and staff that begins with practitioner education. On MyPath, practitioners can access educational myopia websites, practice management tips, infographics to use in the exam room, and educational materials to give to parents, among several other resources.
Through MyPath, ECPs will also have the opportunity to take short, customized courses through Brainshark. These will provide practical information that helps both practitioners and staff to better understand the essentials of myopia management in practice.
For more information on all of these announcements, visit vtivision.com.
References
1 Zadnik, K; Mutti,D O; Mitchell, L G; Jones, L; Burr, D; Moeschberger, M. PhD Normal Eye Growth in Emmetropic Schoolchildren, Optometry and Vision Science: November 2004 – Volume 81 – Issue 11 – p 819-828. doi: 10.1097/01.OPX.0000145028.53923.67
2 Benoit, DP; Dillehay, SM. (2021, November 4). New Clinical Evidence Through 6 years: NaturalVue Multifocal for Myopia Management [Poster]. American Academy of Optometry, Boston. http://www.aaopt.org.
3 Myopia Profile. How Can We Set Myopia Control Expectations? https://www.myopiaprofile.com/how-can-we-set-myopia-control-expectations/. Accessed July 16, 2021.
4 Brennan N, Cheng X, Toubouti Y, Bullimore M. Influence of Age and Race on Axial Elongation in Myopic Children. American Academy of Optometry 2018: E-Abstract 180072. https://www.aaopt.org/detail/knowledge-base-article/influence-of-age-and-race-on-axial-elongation-in-myopic-children. Accessed July 16, 2021.
5 Meng W, Butterworth J, Malecaze F et al. Axial length of myopia: a review of current research. Ophthalmologica 2011;225(3):127-134.
6 Parssinen O, Kauppinen M, Viljanen A. The progression of myopia from its onset at age 8-12 to adulthood and the influence of heredity and external factors on myopic progression. A 23-year follow-up study. Acta Ophthalmol 2014;92(8):730-739.
7 Johnson & Johnson Vision. Managing Myopia A Clinical Response to the Growing Epidemic. https://s3-us-west 2.amazonaws.com/covalentcreative/jjv/media/documents/Managing_Myopia_Clinical_Guide_Dec_2020.pdf. Accessed July 17, 2021.
8 Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, Jong M, Naidoo KS, Sankaridurg P, Wong TY, Naduvilath TJ, Resnikoff S. Global prevalence of myopia and high myopia and temporal trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(5):1036-1042.
9 Al-Mohtaseb Z, Schachter S, Shen-Lee B, et al. The Relationship Between Dry Eye Disease and Digital Screen Use. Clinical Ophthalmology 2021:15 3811–3820
*UV absorbing contact lenses aren’t substitutes for protective UV absorbing eyewear – for example, protective UV absorbing goggles or sunglasses – because they don’t completely cover the eye and surrounding area. Patients should continue to use UV absorbing eyewear as directed.
