KarunaNews Story

For many children, the experience of getting their first pair of glasses is an inevitable milestone, the first in a lifetime of visits to the eye doctor. But what if those lenses could actually help preserve the child’s vision and reduce the chances for more serious eye problems? That’s the promise of a new type of lens approved by the Food and Drug Administration in September. While the technology has previously been available in other parts of the world, it’s now rolling out in the U.S. Myopia, commonly called nearsightedness, is when people can clearly see objects at close range but struggle with distant objects, which often appear blurry or indistinct. Studies have shown rising rates of myopia, which is associated with increased time indoors looking at objects held close to the eyes. In the U.S., 30-40% of children will have myopia by the time they finish high school. The specialized glasses, sold under the brand Essilor Stellest, are approved by the FDA to slow nearsightedness in 6- to 12-year-olds. The FDA said it cleared the lenses based on company data showing children experienced a 70% reduction in the progression of their myopia after two years. Ophthalmologists say the potential benefits go beyond preserving vision to heading off some long-term consequences of severe myopia, which can include cataracts, glaucoma and retinal detachment that can lead to blindness.