Orthokeratology and Myopia Management

This week Johnson & Johnson Vision has announced FDA approval for its orthokeratology (ortho-K) myopia control contact lens. Acuvue Abiliti Overnight is the first and only FDA-approved ortho-K lens for myopia management. Acuvue Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lens is a new option to manage myopia that resulted from the collaboration of Johnson & Johnson with Menicon.

The early forms of ortho-k appeared among Chinese soldiers when they would sleep with sand tiny bags over their eyes. And this action gave them a better far vision and precision as their archers enjoyed better target shooting. In 1962, Georges Jessen who is known as the father of ortho-k, was able to manipulate a refractive change of -1.00 diopter through a new technique he called “orthofocus”. The effect caused by orthofocus would last for a few hours before the refractive change disappears and the patient would need his glasses again.

The researches on improving ortho-k intensified over time. Improvements also came through the development of new contact lenses materials with high oxygen permeability which enabled wearing them day and night and keep healthy eyes.

Daytime daily wear ortho-k lenses were granted FDA approval in 1994. Optometrists were able to treat up to -2.00 diopters of myopia using daytime daily wear ortho-k lenses. Overnight wear of corneal reshaping lenses was FDA approved in June 2002 and it was named “Corneal Refractive Therapy”. The technique allowed correcting up to -4.00 diopter in myopia and up to -1.25 diopters of astigmatism.

Ability Overnight ortho-k contact lenses are designed and fit to match the eye based on its unique corneal shape to temporarily reshape by using two designs one spherical, the Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses, and one for astigmatism, the Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses for Astigmatism.

Johnson & Johnson is impacting society through adopting corporate shared-value in producing ortho-k lenses: “Each annual purchase of an Abiliti product will provide a free comprehensive eye health exam to a child in need through Sight for Kids”. Through Sight for Kids, Johnson & Johnson join efforts with the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) non-for-profit program, to provide comprehensive eye health services in low-income schools around the world. The release of Abiliti Overnight contact lenses is expected by the end of 2021. For more info about Abiliti Overnight contact lenses: www.seeyourability.com