German ophthalmic lens manufacturer Rodenstock has released its MyCon myopia control spectacle lens in Australia. A five-year independent study in Caucasian children has shown that myopia control lenses built on the same principles as the company’s lens reduced myopia progression by up to 40%.
The launch sees Rodenstock become the latest lens company to develop a lens for myopia control, and comes in response to a sharp increase in myopia prevalence, with more than a third of the world’s population affected in 2020.
The company is set to launch the lens at several events across Australia during the next fortnight (more details below).
Rodenstock said its new MyCon lenses (the name comes from Myopia Control) lenses are specially designed to correct myopia while controlling eye elongation, slowing myopia progression in children.
The lens is designed so that light in the periphery is refracted to hit in front of the retina, slowing eye elongation. The progression control areas in MyCon lenses are placed to the sides of the lens and ensure that light in the periphery does not hit behind the retina.
Here, they are designed to slow myopia progression or eye elongation, while leaving the main vision zones of the lens undisturbed, creating sharp vision. The focus area in the lens ensures that the child can see sharply wherever they focus their eyes.
“When documenting the effects of myopia control lenses, it is important to consider regional differences. As more children in Asia develop high myopia, the positive effect of reducing myopia progression using myopia control lenses is also higher,” Rodenstock stated.
“An independent clinical study examining myopia progression in Caucasian children aged 7 to 14 years over a period of five years has shown that myopia control lenses built on the principles of Rodenstock MyCon are effective in reducing the progression of myopia by up to 40%.”
Advantages for the optometry practice
According to Rodenstock, for some children, wearing glasses can be a barrier, as they are unhappy with how it affects their appearance.
Rodenstock MyCon lenses are available in index 1.5, 1.6, 1.67, and 1.74, which the company said makes the lenses thinner and sleeker than many other myopia lenses on the market – a strong sales argument for the optician.
“With MyCon the optician reaches an entirely new target group. They can recommend the MyCon lenses to all myopic children, no matter if a child is slightly myopic or highly myopic,” Rodenstock said.
“With attractive advertising materials and a comprehensive campaign, the optician ensures long-term customer loyalty with support from childhood onwards and also shows their expertise in sharper vision for children.”
Australia launch
Rodenstock Australia has organised several MyCon launch dinners for optometrists wanting to know more about Rodenstock MyCon lenses.
Gold Coast: 31 March at Miss Moneypenny’s – RSVP with Senta Smak (senta.smak@rodenstock.com.au)
Sydney: 3 April at The Surry Rooftop – RSVP with Lisa Gatt (lisa.gatt@rodenstock.com.au) or Melanie Free (melanie.free@rodenstock.com.au)
Melbourne: 4 April at La Di Da – RSVP with Helen Purcell (helen.purcell@rodenstock.com.au)
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