AAOpt 2025 recap: EssilorLuxottica, SightGlass Vision provide updates in myopia

During this year's American Academy of Optometry Academy 2025 meeting, key developments in myopia management were discussed by multiple speakers and industry leaders in eye care.

Andrew Sedgwick, CEO of SightGlass Vision, discussed their myopia management spectacle lens company. He highlighted their 18-month Chinese study, which showed 57% of patients experiencing no meaningful myopia progression. The company is strategically expanding internationally, currently operating in markets like Canada, Israel, Iberia, the Netherlands, and preparing to enter the UK. They are also in the FDA approval process in the United States, holding a breakthrough device designation.

Jennifer Harthan, OD, FAAO, FSLS, presented 2 poster presentations at the conference, titled "Safety and effectiveness of the Arise Orthokeratology lens with toric posterior peripheral curves in patients with myopia: open-label study" and "Fit and stability of the Arise Orthokeratology lens with toric posterior peripheral curves in patients with myopia." Her research focused on lens fit, stability, and safety for patients 12 years and older with up to -5 diopters of myopia. The study revealed a unique torque peripheral curve system providing stable vision and comfort across follow-up visits. Interestingly, the study noted a higher dropout rate, potentially due to the age group of participants.

Monica Jong, PhD, BOptom, head of medical affairs for North America for EssilorLuxxotica, reiterated the FDA market authorization for the Essilor Stellest spectacle lenses for myopia control as a significant milestone in eye care. This represents the first FDA-approved myopia control spectacle lens for pediatric children in the United States. The lens design features a nine-millimeter central clear zone surrounded by 11 rings containing 1021 aspherical lenslets, which create myopic defocus to slow progression.

Ryan Parker, OD, senior director of professional affairs at EssilorLuxottica, emphasized the lens's potential to remove barriers in pediatric myopia treatment. He outlined the product timeline: FDA market authorization on September 25, lens ordering available from October 13, and lab production starting October 20, with approximately a 14-day turnaround time.