HOYA Vision launches MiYOSMART Sun lenses to protect against myopia in children

(Image Credit: AdobeStock/Pixel-Shot)

Update: On May 29, 2023, HOYA announced the launch of MiYOSMART Sun to Canadian eye care providers.

HOYA Vision Care announced the release of its MiYOSMART Sun spectacle lenses in Singapore that will help to combat rising myopia in children.

According to the company, after the soft-launch of the product in April 2023, they plan to have the product available in 30 different countries over the course of the next few months.

The photochromic spectacle lenses, MiYOSMART Chameleon, and polarised spectacle lenses, MiYOSMART Sunbird, were developed to slow down myopia progression in children using DIMS Technology while providing protection from intense sunlight.

The company is launching this product as it pairs with evidence that suggests outdoor time protects against myopia progression and could boost the outcome of a myopia management intervention – stressing myopic children should be encouraged to partake in daily outdoor activities for at least two hours.

The DIMS technology (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) was designed by Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The technology works on the concept of creating simultaneous defocus, during both distance and near viewing - one plane on the retina due to the single vision zone(s) of the lens, and one plane creating myopic defocus due to the +3.50D defocus lenslets.¹

According to a press release from the company, MiYOSMART slowed down myopia progression by an average of 60%in children aged 8-13 when compared to conventional single-vision lenses and all MiYOSMART Sun spectacle lenses offer 100% protection from UV-A and UV-B.

MiYOSMART Chameleon are photochromic, or self-tinting lenses which “rapidly adapt to the levels of sunlight, providing the child with as much protection as they need, wherever they are.”

While the MiYOSMART Sunbird are polarized spectacle lenses that allow children with light-sensitive eyes to see colors that remain “rich and vibrant.”

Frederiek Ysebaert, Managing Director of the Pediatric Care Business Unit at HOYA Vision Care, spoke about the importance of protecting children’s eyes outside in the press release.

"Children's vision is worth protecting. By acting today, we give them more opportunity tomorrow," said Ysebaert, "With the launch of MiYOSMART sun spectacle lenses, inspired by our discussions with eye care professionals, we can enable children across the world to spend more time outdoors while protecting their eyes from intense sunlight, maximizing the benefits of DIMS Technology on myopia progression."

Ysebaert went on to say, "HOYA Vision Care is on the front line of raising awareness about the growing global phenomenon of myopia in children. Myopic children need a solution that will correct myopia and slow its progression, as well as protect them from UV light. We work alongside eye care professionals to develop better treatments. Their input plus the medical literature is clear: increased time outdoors is integral to myopia treatment for children, and their eyes should be protected from intense sunlight."

Editor's note: MiYOSMART spectacle lenses have not been approved for use in managing Myopia in all countries, including the US and are not currently available for sale in all countries, including the US.

Originally published May 12, 2023.

References:

1. Lam CSY, Tang WC, Tse DY, et al Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses slow myopia progression: a 2-year randomised clinical trial. British Journal of Ophthalmology 2020;104:363-368.