Page 32 - July-August 2020

MENICON UK LAUNCHES MIRU SPECIAL

1DAY TORIC GLASSES FOR
PEOPLE WITH
KERATOCONUS

Fight for Sight has funded a new
research study that aims to create
Menicon UK will be launching a “ahead of its time.” spectacle lenses for people with the
toric version of Miru 1day Flat Pack eye disease keratoconus. The project,
which is co-funded by the Keratoconus
for astigmatism in the UK from 1 “Menicon conducted a survey Self-Help and Support Association
September. that revealed that 80% of wearers
would like their lenses to be easier (KC Group) is taking place at the
The daily disposable lens features to handle,” Mr Retallic explained. University of Liverpool.
Smart Fit technology with a thin bi- “Smart Touch is a nifty solution as it People with keratoconus have a
aspheric toric design which matches really does give hygienic hassle-free hard time when they cannot wear
natural eyelid contours and self- handling because the lens is always their contact lenses, for example if
orients, no matter how the lens is the right way up in the packaging, they have an eye infection, abrasion
placed in the eye. In addition, it has avoiding the need to touch the inner or stye. This condition is estimated
a smooth, low-edge profile, allowing lens surface when applying to your to affect between one in 500 to 2,000
for comfort, while the lens material eye.” people worldwide. The new project,
bonds with tears to lock in moisture being led by University of Liverpool
and allow for rapid lens rehydration Menicon suggests the Flat Pack biomedical engineer Dr Ahmed
when blinking. packaging uses less raw materials Abass, aims to create special glasses
and is recyclable, resulting in 80% that can correct irregular astigmatism
According to Neil Retallic, less waste compared to conventional for such patients.
European professional services packaging. The storage case is also
director for Menicon, the Miru made from the moulds that produce “We have already developed a
1day Flat Pack disposable lens is the lenses. proof of concept spectacle lens which
can be used by kerataconic patients.
This funding from Fight for Sight and
MISIGHT RECEIVES FDA APPROVAL the Keratoconus Group UK will be
used to take forward the technology
and to trial it in a clinical setting. This
CooperVision’s MiSight, the first of 135 children ages 8 to 12 years old at is an important next step and we hope
contact lens indicated to slow down the the start of treatment with MiSight or the outcome of this project will be
progression of myopia in children aged a conventional soft contact lens. The to take the technology forward as a
between 8 to 12 years has received the study results showed that during the clinical product, potentially leading
approved of the U.S. Food and Drug three year duration, children who wore to a major step forward in the current
Administration (FDA). MiSight lenses had less progression of prescription system for patients,” said
myopia when compared to conventional
According to CooperVision, the soft contact lens wearers. Furthermore, Dr Ahmed Abass.
single-use, disposable, soft contact they noted that children who wore Chief Executive of Fight for Sight,
lenses designed to correct and slow MiSight lenses had less change in the Sherine Krause said: “We’re delighted
progression of myopia in children with axial length of the eyeball at each yearly to be funding this valuable research
healthy eyes, should be discarded checkup. No serious ocular adverse project, which could help bring
after one-day use as they are not events were reported for any patients. forward the development of a new
recommended for overnight wear.
The FDA also reviewed real-world type of corrective spectacle for those
As per a press note, the FDA data from a retrospective analysis of living with keratoconus. We know that
approval was granted to MiSight based medical records of 728 children aged 8 to people with advanced keratoconus
on data from a prospective clinical 12 years old from seven community eye find difficulty in their daily life during
trial at four clinical sites and real-world care clinics. Data showed a similar rate of the times when they cannot wear their
evidence. Safety and effectiveness of corneal ulcer cases in children who wore contact lenses, so we look forward to
MiSight were demonstrated in a three- MiSight as in adults who wear contact seeing the results from Dr Ahmed’s
year randomised, controlled clinical trial lenses daily. clinical trial.”

| JULY-AUG 2020 | 28 CONTACT LENS NEWS