AAOpt 2026: DOT lenses for myopia control match single vision lenses in daily use, studies show

According to a new announcement from SightGlass Vision, children wearing DOT spectacle lenses for myopia control see, move, and use their eyewear much like children wearing standard single vision lenses. Four studies to be presented at the American Academy of Optometry 2026 Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California, reported comparable eye and head movement, dynamic task performance, quality of vision, and satisfaction between lens types, according to a news release.¹

"We believe children wearing myopia control spectacles should have the same freedom to learn, move and play as any other child,” said Fabio Carta, Director of Professional Affairs at SightGlass Vision, in the release. “What’s encouraging about this new research is how consistently DOT lenses function like traditional eyewear from the child’s perspective. Together with the strong clinical evidence behind DOT lenses’ unique contrast management approach, these findings should further embolden practitioners to recommend the technology to young children and their families.”

DOT lenses reduce retinal contrast signaling through embedded light-scattering elements while maintaining a single power across the lens, rather than creating peripheral defocus with multiple optical powers. The company cites efficacy data from the 4-year North American CYPRESS trial and the 2-year CATHAY trial in China, and reports more than 2 million children have worn DOT lenses.¹ Questions about adaptation, visual comfort, and activity limitations often shape whether families accept a myopia control spectacle recommendation.

In the first study, Long and colleagues used eye tracking to compare children wearing DOT lenses and single vision lenses during reading, gaming, viewing a lecture, and walking. Eye and head movement patterns remained highly consistent between lens types, with no evidence of compensatory changes in gaze or head position. Treatment zone coverage remained very high across all activities in both younger and older children.¹

A second study by Gantes and colleagues used immersive motion capture to evaluate children during more dynamic tasks, including locating peripheral targets, catching virtual baseballs, and steering a bicycle around obstacles. Investigators found no significant differences between DOT and single vision lenses in head movements, reaction times, catching performance, speed changes, or steering.¹

The CATHAY study

The remaining 2 analyses drew on the CATHAY trial, a randomized, multicenter study comparing DOT lenses with standard single vision lenses across five sites in China.³ Two-year results presented at ARVO 2026 showed DOT lenses slowed myopia progression by 0.78 D and axial elongation by 0.40 mm vs control in children aged 6 to 13 years.^2,3 Children aged 6 to 10 years saved more than 1 D of progression on average.²

Wang and colleagues assessed quality of vision among children aged 6 to 13 years after 2 years of wear. Glare, halos, and hazy vision were infrequent with both lens types and, when present, were predominantly mild and minimally bothersome. The visual disturbance profile of DOT lenses was comparable to or more favorable than single vision lenses across all three symptoms.¹

In a companion analysis, Carta and colleagues evaluated children's own ratings of distance, near, and night vision, along with visual acceptance, satisfaction, and overall impression. More than 91% of responses across all 6 measures were positive or neutral, with no significant differences between DOT and single vision lens wearers.¹

“One of the important questions with any myopia control spectacle lens is how children genuinely use the lens during normal visual tasks,” said David Webley, MCOptom, FBCLA, senior director of clinical, medical, and professional affairs at SightGlass Vision, in the announcement. “What we’re seeing with DOT lenses is remarkably consistent behavior across a range of activities. Children are not changing their gaze or head position to compensate for the treatment zone, and their performance during dynamic tasks is comparable to standard single vision lenses. For practitioners, these findings provide important clinical reassurance that children can gain the myopia control benefit of DOT lenses without changing how they naturally use their glasses.”

DOT lenses are commercially available in China, Canada, Israel, Spain, and the UK.¹ The announcement did not address US availability, so clinicians should confirm regulatory status before discussing the lenses with families.

References

1. Academy ’26: Studies show children move and respond naturally in DOT™ spectacle lenses, similar to standard single-vision lenses. News release. SightGlass Vision. September 28, 2026. Accessed September 28, 2026.

2. Hill JS, et al. Control of myopia using contrast modulation spectacle lenses in a Chinese population: 24-month results. Presented at: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting; May 3-7, 2026; Denver, CO.

3. ARVO 2026: DOT lenses show reduced myopia progression in children after 2 years. Optometry Times. May 7, 2026. Accessed September 28, 2026. https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/arvo-2026-dot-lenses-show-reduced-myopia-progression-in-children-after-2-years