Findings from three SightGlass Vision Diffusion Optics Technology^™ (DOT 0.2) spectacle lenses studies will take center stage at the American Academy of Optometry 2023 Annual Meeting, which opens this week in New Orleans.

Individually and collectively, they reinforce the robust performance of the company’s flagship myopia control intervention, which uses thousands of light scattering elements called dots to mimic more natural contrast on the retina—a unique mechanism of action to slow myopia progression in children.*

In-depth data from Control of Myopia Using Diffusion Optics Technology Spectacle Lenses: 4-Year Results (CYPRESS) are being presented by Dr. Debbie Laughton on October 11, demonstrating statistically significant slowing of axial length (AL) progression and cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction (cSER). Expanding on top line findings shared last month from the rigorous, multi-site study, researchers report that children wearing their DOT 0.2 spectacles full-time continue to show substantial clinical benefit over 48 months.

Among the additional data reported at Academy ’23 is visual performance among CYPRESS participants over the four-year span. Mean binocular high contrast LogMAR visual acuity (VA) measurements were clinically stable and similar between groups at distance (test -0.09 ± 0.08, control -0.07 ± 0.06) and near (test -0.03 ± 0.14, control -0.04 ± 0.10). Mean monocular low contrast (10%) distance VA showed an improvement over the course of the study (mean change from baseline: test 0.05 ± 0.12, control 0.07 ± 0.11), and mean peripheral VA improved or remained similar in all quadrants, with no significant differences between treatment groups.

The CYPRESS paper has been selected by the Academy as one of the six most newsworthy presentations scheduled for New Orleans. Dr. Laughton will summarize the work during the Academy-hosted Innovations in Vision and Eye Care event on Wednesday, October 11.    

A companion study co-developed by esteemed researcher and Professor James Wolffsohn of Aston University assessed the Visual Impact of Diffusion Optics Technology Lenses for Myopia Control. Children (12.2±1.3 years old, range 10-14, 51% female) were randomly assigned to wear DOT 0.2 spectacle lenses (n=27) or single vision lenses (n=24) for 3.5 years across six North American sites. Investigators determined that the DOT 0.2 lens provides an equivalent visual experience to a standard single vision lens, as evaluated through binocular high and low contrast distance visual acuities, near visual acuity, reading speed, contrast sensitivity, stereoacuity and glare measures.

Presented by Dr. Kylvin Ho of C U Vision Optometrists (Vancouver), Real-World Effectiveness of Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) Spectacle Lenses for Myopia Control in Chinese Canadian Children identified 39 patients who were prescribed the intervention as a monotherapy between October 2020 to December 2022 in an independent practice. After 12 months, mean progression was -0.28 ± 0.32 D in SER (n=39) and 0.15 ± 0.17 mm in AL (n=36). SER progression was limited to -0.25 D or less in 56% of children during the time frame.

Compared to Singapore Cohort Study of the Risk Factors for Myopia (SCORM) data, DOT 0.2 lenses slowed AL progression by 62% (0.24 mm). The 12-month AL elongation was similar to 0.14 mm SCORM-predicted, age-matched emmetropic eye growth (physiological eye growth). The Canadian practice data also aligned with CYPRESS study 12-month outcomes of 0.15 mm AL progression.

“Myopia progression is one of the greatest health epidemics of our time, deserving of attention and resources from researchers, educators, and policy makers. The evidence-based efficacy and impact of Diffusion Optics Technology^™ spectacle lenses, clearly and convincingly demonstrated across multiple dimensions at Academy ’23, shows their substantial potential to change the lives of children around the world,” said Andrew Sedgwick, CEO of SightGlass Vision.

Click HERE for the full press release.

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CooperVision teams around the world are organizing fundraising activities for Optometry Giving Sight’s World Sight Day Challenge. For example, members of the company’s R&D team in Pleasanton, Calif., hosted a “Strikes for Sight” bowling event, during which participants pledged to make donations ranging from $0.25 to $1 per strike. Ultimately, 102 strikes were bowled in the two-hour period, with each employee donating between $25.50 and $102. The total funds raised by CooperVision will be announced later this year.

United Nations Photo Exhibition. As a Global Patron of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, CooperVision joined forces with the organization for the 2030 IN SIGHT photo exhibition at the United Nations headquarters in New York from October 9-20. Submissions, including one from CooperVison and Vision Action from their work screening children in Ghana, challenge viewers to consider the impact of eye health on sustainable development outcomes. You can preview the exhibition, including a submission, by visiting the exhibit website or through the attached booklet.

Click HERE for the full press release.

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The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has announced a multifaceted series of scientific presentations, lectures, and posters for the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) 2023 Annual Meeting, scheduled from October 11-14. The diverse lineup represents the breadth of the organization’s expertise and impact across the optometric world.

Among CORE’s offerings are sessions on tear film stability, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and dry eye, sustained drug delivery devices for the eye, presbyopia-correcting multifocal contact lens fitting, a new tool to assist orthokeratology fit success, and the impact of myopia control lenses on vision.

“Our work has evolved to consistently span a broad range of clinically relevant pharmaceuticals, devices, and practices, and we’re privileged to share some of our latest findings and insights during Academy ‘23. After thirty-five years—including the last six under the CORE brand—our industry collaborations continue to grow, with more innovation ahead,” said Lyndon Jones, PhD, DSc, FCOptom, FAAO, the director of CORE.

Six CORE scientists will be featured in eight different talks in New Orleans:

• AZR MD 001 Improved Tear Film Stability and Symptoms of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in a 6-Month Study
• Sign and Symptom Improvement Rates Among MGD Patients Following 6 Months of Treatment with AZR MD 001
• Rapid Fire: Dry Eye in 2023
• Sustained Drug Delivery Devices for the Eye
• Task-Based Evaluations of Two Daily Disposable Soft Multifocal Lenses
• Investigation of Ease of Fit to a Different Daily Disposable Multifocal Soft Lens
• Subjective Vision Experience in Soft Myopia Control Contact Lenses by Age
• Software Guided Orthokeratology Fitting Success

The CORE rebrand was announced at Academy 2018 in Chicago, conceived to illustrate the organization’s substantial expansion from its early roots in contact lens clinical studies. In celebration of its six years under the new name, CORE plans to release several infographics that spotlight various projects, publications, education, people, and more in the coming weeks.

Click HERE for the full press release.

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With only a few weeks remaining, Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced a $500,000 fundraising goal for its 2023 World Sight Day Challenge. Donations will fuel the organization’s efforts to help eradicate uncorrected refractive error through the growth and expansion of optometry around the world. As thousands of eye care professionals convene in New Orleans for Academy 2023 and observe World Sight Day, OGS calls upon the optometry community to help achieve this goal.

The theme of this year’s World Sight Day Challenge is “Giving Together, Seeing Forever,” which celebrates the collective power of the industry to give the gift of sight to millions of people in need. Although World Sight Day takes place on October 12, the Challenge—the organization’s largest annual fundraiser—officially continues through the end of October.

“There is still plenty of time to join the World Sight Day Challenge and contribute to meeting our goal,” said Lois Schoenbrun, Executive Director, Optometry Giving Sight. “Every dollar donated allows us to fund sustainable initiatives that provide life-changing eye care to people, families, and communities around the world. OGS is ‘optometry’s charity’—eye care professionals truly understand the impact of sight, because they witness it in their practices every day. Our work is only possible with your support.”

There are several ways to support OGS during the World Sight Day Challenge. One-time or recurring donations can be made at any time at givingsight.org/donate-wsdc. Those interested in leading fundraising at their practice or company can register at givingsight.org/wsdc to receive a toolkit with ideas and resources.

Attendees at Academy 2023 in New Orleans are encouraged to visit the OGS booth (#1623) to participate in the Beanbag Bucket Toss fundraising game. Players will try their hand at tossing beanbags into buckets at various distances to increase donations and a board member match. A minimum $10 donation is required to play the game, and a thank-you gift will be given to each participant.

1.2 billion people worldwide suffer needlessly from preventable blindness and vision impairment. With funds raised, Optometry Giving Sight provides grants to programs focused on long-term solutions, including those that establish optometry schools, vision centers, and optical labs in underserved communities around the globe.

Since 2003, OGS funding has provided basic eye care services to more than 8 million people, assisted with training more than 14,000 eye care personnel, established more than 130 vision centers, and served people in more than 40 countries. In the last two years alone, OGS has provided funding to more than 30 project partners around the world, totaling more than $1.5 million in grants. For more information, visit givingsight.org.

Source: Optometry Giving Sight

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