How do lighting levels and contrast affect vision with multifocal contact lenses?

In young adult myopes, Biofinity centre-distance +2.50 Add and NaturalVue multifocal contact lenses both showed reduced visual acuity in lower lighting and low contrast conditions, and especially with a glare source, compared to single vision. Reading rate under normal lighting was also reduced by 4-8%. The multifocal designs performed similarly, although Biofinity required more over-refraction for best distance acuity.

Topical caffeine protects against myopia development in monkeys

Caffeine-based eye drops created hyperopic shifts in baby rhesus monkeys during the emmetropization process, and protected against myopia development due to induced hyperopic defocus. The serum level of caffeine was similar to one cup of coffee in a human adult. This potential future myopia treatment requires further research on dosage, benefits and side effects before use in humans.

Managing a child with very high myopia

In this complex case of an 8-year-old child with very high myopia, management is discussed in view of specific recommendations from the International Myopia Institute Pathologic Myopia, Clinical Management Guidelines and Prevention of Myopia and its Progression Reports.

The latest from the IMI and what it means in practice

The International Myopia Institute released their Volume 1 of reports in 2019 and Volume 2 in 2021. Here, we explore the latest round of reports in 2021 and what they each mean for clinical practice.

IMI 2021 Yearly Digest

The IMI 2021 Yearly Digest summarized recent updates and progress in research of myopia, taking in all publications since the IMI Volume One reports published in early 2019. Each of the Volume One reports included an update – definitions, interventions, genetics, experimental models, clinical trial guidance, ethical considerations and clinical management. While further research is needed, the strengthening evidence base indicates eye care practitioners should embrace proactive myopia management.

IMI Report on Prevention of myopia and its progression

In myopic children, interventions to slow progression are warranted to prevent the development of high myopia and subsequent pathology and also to reduce the economic burden caused by uncorrected and pathologic myopia. This IMI Report describes the latest advice on preventing the development and progression of myopia – read the summary here.

Understanding on and off label prescribing

Understanding on- and off-label prescribing

What does on-label and off-label prescribing mean in myopia management? Here we explore this topic from the point of view of medications and medical devices, what regulatory approvals mean and how this applies to decision making and clinical processes such as informed consent.

Two-year clinical trial results of aspherical lenslet spectacles for myopia control

This study reports two year results from a randomized clinical trial examining myopia control spectacle lenses with highly aspherical lenslets (HAL) or slightly aspherical lenslets (SAL). The findings showed the HAL lens controlled refractive and axial progression by 50-55% and SAL by around 30% over two years. Read more about the outcomes and comparisons to other myopia control spectacles here.

Six-year MiSight 1 day clinical trial data

The MiSight 1 day clinical trial is the longest in soft lens myopia control, showing efficacy in children and teens in up to 6 years of wear. The first three years showed a 50-60% axial length and refractive efficacy. In the second three years, all control group children were switched to MiSight and showed axial growth similar to children under continued treatment, indicating benefits for commencing wear in children and teens alike.

Can orthokeratology be used to slow the progression of anisomyopia?

This meta-analysis investigated the effectiveness of orthokeratology in controlling the progression of anisomyopia (unilateral myopia or bilateral anisomyopia) in Chinese children. Total anisomyopia decreased at 2-year follow up, indicating orthokeratology may be a safe clinical method to slow myopia progression coupled with reducing interocular axial length difference.