Breakthrough in Myopia Control: Long-Term Benefits of Multifocal Contact Lenses Revealed

After a decade of dedicated research, David Berntsen, Golden-Golden Professor of Optometry and chair of Clinical Sciences at the University of Houston College of Optometry, has announced groundbreaking findings in the battle against nearsightedness. His team’s method to slow myopia progression has not only proven effective but also demonstrated lasting benefits.

The initial BLINK Study found that children with myopia who wore high-add power multifocal contact lenses experienced a slower progression of their condition. The follow-up BLINK2 Study, which monitored these children after they discontinued lens use, confirmed that the treatment benefits endure.

“One year after discontinuing multifocal contact lenses, myopia progression in older teenagers returns to normal without any loss of treatment benefit,” reports Berntsen in JAMA Ophthalmology.

A Growing Concern: The Global Myopia Crisis

Berntsen’s research addresses a major public health issue. By 2050, nearly half the world’s population—approximately 5 billion people—will be myopic. This widespread condition is linked to increased risks of serious eye health problems such as retinal detachment and glaucoma, which can lead to vision loss and even blindness.

The original BLINK Study highlighted the effectiveness of multifocal contact lenses in slowing eye growth and reducing myopia progression. Since higher levels of myopia are associated with these long-term risks, controlling its progression during childhood offers significant future benefits.

Our findings show that when older teenagers stop wearing myopia control lenses, their eye returns to the age-expected rate of growth.

David Berntsen, Golden-Golden Professor of Optometry and chair of Clinical Sciences at the University of Houston College of Optometry

Jeffrey J. Walline, associate dean for research at the Ohio State University College of Optometry, adds, “The durable benefits seen in the BLINK2 study affirm the value of using myopia control contact lenses in treating younger patients.”

The Science Behind Myopia

Myopia, or nearsightedness, occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back during childhood. This growth disrupts the eye’s ability to focus light directly on the retina, causing distant objects to appear blurred. While single vision prescription glasses and contact lenses can correct myopic vision, they do not address the ongoing eye growth problem.

By contrast, multifocal contact lenses not only correct myopia but also slow down eye growth. These lenses are designed like a bullseye, with the center correcting distance vision and the outer portion focusing light in front of the retina. This focusing mechanism is believed to slow down eye growth, potentially reducing the risk of vision-threatening conditions later in life.

BLINK: A Landmark Study

The original BLINK Study involved 294 myopic children between the ages of 7 and 11. Participants were randomly assigned to wear either single vision contact lenses or multifocal lenses with high-add (+2.50 diopters) or medium-add (+1.50 diopters) power.

Over three years, children in the high-add multifocal lens group exhibited slower rates of myopia progression and had shorter eye lengths compared to those in the medium-add and single-vision groups.

In the follow-up BLINK2 Study, 248 children continued to wear high-add multifocal lenses for two more years and then switched to single-vision lenses for the final year. Results showed that axial eye growth returned to normal rates—one year after discontinuing multifocal lens use—without a significant rebound effect.

Participants who had worn multifocal lenses since age 7 to 11 continued to have shorter eyes and less myopia than those who started using multifocal lenses during BLINK2.

Why Multifocal Lenses Are a Game-Changer

The benefits of multifocal contact lenses are noteworthy compared to other myopia control methods such as atropine drops and orthokeratology lenses. Studies of these alternatives often report a rebound effect, where the eye grows faster than normal once treatment is discontinued.

Berntsen’s findings suggest that initiating multifocal contact lens use early in childhood and continuing treatment until late adolescence is a practical and effective strategy for managing myopia.

“It’s reasonable to fit children with multifocal contact lenses for myopia control at a younger age and continue treatment until the late teenage years, when myopia progression tends to slow,” Berntsen concludes.

The Importance of Early Intervention

With the prevalence of myopia expected to soar in the coming decades, early intervention and effective management strategies are crucial. The BLINK and BLINK2 Studies offer compelling evidence that multifocal contact lenses can play a significant role in mitigating the impact of this growing issue.

For parents and caregivers of myopic children, these findings provide reassurance about the long-term benefits of multifocal contact lenses. Not only do they offer immediate vision correction, but they also promise sustained protection against the progression of myopia.

As researchers continue to explore new treatments and strategies for managing myopia, the lessons derived from the BLINK studies underscore the importance of proactive approaches to maintaining eye health.

Conclusion

The groundbreaking research by David Berntsen and his team represents a major leap forward in the fight against myopia. By demonstrating the long-lasting benefits of multifocal contact lenses, they offer hope to millions of individuals worldwide who are affected by nearsightedness.

As we move forward, it’s imperative to continue supporting and expanding research initiatives that address myopia control. Only through comprehensive and innovative approaches can we hope to mitigate the global impact of this widespread condition.

We invite our readers to share their thoughts and experiences with myopia and myopia control lenses in the comments section below. Your insights can help educate others and contribute to ongoing discussions in the field of optometry.