Novel Non-Coaxial Ring-Focus Contact Lens Design Slows Axial Growth

Two novel, non-coaxial ring-focus contact lens designs demonstrate the ability to slow axial length (AL) elongation, with 1 of the designs significantly reducing spherical equivalent autorefraction (SECAR) compared with single vision contact lenses, according to a study published in Ophthalmology Science.

Researchers included 185 children with myopia in a multi-center, randomized, controlled, double-masked study and randomized them to treatment with 1 of the 2 non-coaxial ring-focus designs (enhanced efficiency, n=44; enhanced vision, n=49), a dual focus design (n=45) or single vision contact lenses (n=47). Post-cycloplegia AL and SECAR measurements were performed at baseline and at 1-, 4-, 13-, and 26-week follow-up visits.

At the final visit, participants fit with the enhanced efficiency, enhanced vision, and dual focus designs experienced significantly less axial elongation compared with individuals fit with SV contact lenses (0.079 mm; 0.119mm; 0.135 mm; 0.189mm, respectively).  However, only individuals fit with the enhanced efficiency design experienced significantly less  SECAR progression compared with participants fit with the SV lenses (-0.12 vs -0.35 diopters [D]). Study participants in the enhanced efficiency group also experienced significantly less AL growth compared with individuals in the dual focus group (least square mean difference, -0.049 mm; 95% CI, -0.093 to -0.004). 

Changes in AL and SECAR for the enhanced vision and dual focus designs were not statistically different. Patients fit with all 3 myopia control lenses had a mean visual acuity close to 0.00 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) with an estimated 95% CIs less than 0.10 logMAR. 

Patients fit with enhanced efficiency and dual focus designs were more likely to report halos, but no serious ocular adverse effects were reported.

“The non-coaxial ring-focus technology of the prototype lenses used in this study offers potential performance advantages over traditional coaxial focus lenses and may mitigate the trade-off between efficacy and visual quality with such designs,” according to the researchers.

The short duration is an acknowledged study limitation. 

Disclosure: This research was supported by Johnson & Johnson Vision. Please see the original reference for a full list of disclosures.