In conversation with Dr Natalia Vlasak about the Miyosmart iQ spectacle lens

Hoya Vision Care’s global head of medical and scientific affairs spoke with OT about the research supporting a pioneering spectacle lens for myopia control

5 min read

A child wearing glasses plays with toy dinosaurs

Getty/AJ_Watt

Selina Powell

12 August 2026

Clinical trial results presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in Denver, Colorado (3–7 May) revealed that the Miyosmart iQ lens was able to “halt clinically relevant myopia progression” for nine out of 10 children over the first year of wear.

OT spoke with Hoya Vision Care’s global head of medical and scientific affairs, Dr Natalia Vlasak, about the research that supports the Miyosmart iQ spectacle lens for myopia control.

Can you tell me about the testing that went into developing the spectacle lens?

We followed the standard evaluation process used for testing a new drug or a new medical device with a treatment effect. First, we conducted a Phase I study in a small group of children to assess if the product – the new spectacle lens – is safe. The study demonstrated that the new spectacle lens is safe and well-tolerated by the participating children.

Then we moved on to a Phase II to assess whether the new spectacle lens could be effective in controlling myopia progression. We conducted a short-term choroidal thickness evaluation and got very encouraging results. After only two weeks of wearing Miyosmart iQ we observed the same level of choroidal thickening which had been achieved wearing the original Miyosmart after three months. That was the moment we realised we might have a more advanced solution for myopia control.

After getting such encouraging results, we moved on to Phase III testing – a 12-month randomised controlled clinical trial. Our goal was to evaluate how the new Miyosmart iQ performed compared to a single-vision spectacle lens and to the original Miyosmart. This allowed us to assess if the new spectacle lens would outperform the effectiveness of Miyosmart in controlling myopia progression.

We conducted a 12-month randomised controlled clinical trial of Miyosmart iQ in children aged four to 12. We thought a lot about the inclusion criteria – we know that myopia typically progresses more rapidly when it develops earlier at a younger age. Therefore, we wanted to evaluate performance of the new Miyosmart iQ in young children with the early onset of myopia who are at the greater risk of rapid myopia progression.

To gain deeper insights, we stratified the trial cohort from the beginning based on age four to six, seven to nine and 10 to 12 in the 1:2:1 ratio, allowing us to understand better whether the performance differs or not across the age groups. We also wanted to include children who were experiencing myopia progression. Such inclusion criteria enabled us to assess the effectiveness of our new spectacle lens across a broad paediatric population while assessing its effectiveness in those who are at the greater risk of rapid myopia progression.

Getting screened early is better for the child and for their future

What do the trial results tell us about the differences between Miyosmart iQ and the previous-generation lens?

The trial results showed us that on average there was no myopia progression among the trial cohort in the first 12 months of wearing Miyosmart iQ. Our trial results on the previous-generation Miyosmart iQ spectacle lens showed that it slowed down myopia progression on average by 59% at the 24-month wearing period.

We were already very encouraged and proud of such results, as they represented a significant step forward compared with what had previously been achieved. However, some children still experienced myopia progression, which pushed us to think how the Miyosmart spectacle lens design could be further enhanced to achieve even greater efficacy.

The clinical results achieved with the enhanced Miyosmart iQ suggest that more children – including younger children and those with early onset of myopia, who are at the greater risk of rapid myopia progression – can benefit from this product. Due to the technology’s stronger myopia control efficacy, the Miyosmart iQ group in the trial showed no myopia progression on average at 12 months.

What design changes were made to the Miyosmart iQ lens?

There were three main enhancements to the Miyosmart spectacle lens design that our research and development team made based on all findings and learning from our previous clinical studies on Miyosmart. We brought the defocus segments closer to the geometrical centre of the lens – this means that more defocus segments will be in the pupil to continuously activate the near peripheral retina. In one research paper, this area has been described as ‘the sweet spot’. This seems to be the most sensitive area of the retina, which responds to myopic defocus and plays a role in eye growth regulation. We also increased the power of the defocus segment from +3.5D to +4.5D and extended the treatment zone on the lens.

Do you have any general tips for practitioners on myopia management?

I think it is important that families bring children to have their eye examination as early as possible. The earlier we can diagnose myopia or even pre-myopia, the earlier we can start treatment. Getting screened early is better for the child and for their future. I would encourage optometrists to begin conversations with their patients about myopia early. When they see a child who does have myopia, it is always about finding the best solution for that child. It needs to be something that the child will accept and will wear, as with better compliance, better myopia control could be reached.