Johnson & Johnson Vision and Menicon join forces in myopia management

Johnson & Johnson Vision and contact lens manufacturer Menicon have announced a global strategic collaboration to expand the availability of therapeutic contact lenses to manage the progression of myopia in children.

Through the collaboration, Menicon will develop and manufacture contact lenses to help manage the progression of myopia in children. Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson Vision will work to expand the availability of the lenses around the world.

The agreement follows a number of steps taken by each company to address the rise in myopia. In 2019, Menicon launched its Menicon Bloom Myopia Control Management System in Europe.

This year, Johnson & Johnson Vision released its myopia management guide, sharing recommendations for eye care professionals.

Dr Hidenari Tanaka, president at Menicon, said the partnership represented a “wonderful opportunity to expand and realise our potential to effectively address the progression of myopia in children worldwide.”

Global president for Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Peter Menziuso, also commented that the collaboration marked a “step forward” for the company in its aim to offer a portfolio of products to help manage myopia.

The companies highlighted the long-term threats associated with myopia, with half of the world’s population projected to be myopic by 2050 and one billion people expected to have high myopia (Holden et al, Ophthalmology 2016; 123: 1036).

Professor Ian Flitcroft, ophthalmologist and consultant of Johnson & Johnson Vision, commented: “As eye care practitioners we see the long-term impact when myopia progresses or worsens, which can lead to other eye disease and even loss of vision.

“There is no safe level of myopia and there is an emerging need for more myopia treatment options, with an even greater need for industry, eye care providers, and parents to collaborate and help stop the progression of myopia in children.”