Myopia management: new study highlights effectiveness of multifocal contact lenses

A new study published in JAMA has investigated the effectiveness of multifocal contact lenses in slowing the progression of myopia in children.

The research involved 294 myopic children between the ages of seven and 11 who were assigned either high power multifocal contact lenses, medium power multifocal contact lenses or single vision contact lenses.

After three years, those in the first group had myopic progression of -0.6 D, with those in the second group experiencing -0.89 D progression and those who wore single vision lenses displaying the highest increase in myopia, with -1.05 D progression.

Researchers highlighted that high power multifocal contact lenses slowed myopia progression by 0.45 D and eye growth by 0.23 mm compared with single-vision contact lenses.

In comparison to medium power multifocal contact lenses, high power multifocal contact lenses slowed myopia progression by 0.29 D and eye growth by 0.16 mm.

The scientists highlighted that further research is needed to understand the clinical importance of the findings.