SightGlass Vision’s Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) spectacle lenses are now worn by over 2 million children worldwide.1 This milestone comes 5 years after their launch in 2021, and almost 2 decades since the contrast signaling discovery that led to the development of the lenses.2
“Two million children in DOT lenses is a powerful reminder of why we do this work and a testament to the need for this safe and effective myopia control treatment,” Andrew Sedgwick, CEO of SightGlass Vision, said in the press release.1 “We're proud that so many eye care professionals trust DOT lenses to correct their young patients' vision today and help reduce future eye health risks, and reaching this milestone only energizes us further to work alongside the clinicians who are pushing the field forward," Sedgwick continued.
Discovery and development
In 2007, Jay Neitz, PhD, and Maureen Neitz, PhD, genetic scientists at the Medical College of Wisconsin, made a key discovery about the cause of myopia progression.2 They found that myopia progression was caused by high retinal contrast, commonly from viewing books and screens, which overstimulates the retina and drives axial growth.3
“It turns out [the genetic form of myopia] was a mutation in the cone photoreceptors,“ Jay Neitz said in a 2020 interview with University of Washington School of Medicine. “We then realized that it’s really just the way that the images are being encoded on the retina” he continued.4
The Neitz’s contrast theory of myopia led to the development of DOT lenses.2,4 DOT lenses work by “integrating thousands of light scattering elements called dots that mimic more natural contrast at all distances,” as stated on SightGlass Vision’s website.2 By managing contrast before it hits the retina, the axial length is shortened and the progression of myopia is slowed.2,4
Clinical Trial Timeline and Key Findings
- Timeline: Part 1 was conducted from July 2018 and March 2022. Part 2 took place between July 2021 and March 2023. Study is set to complete in late 2026.
- Participant Information: A total of 256 North American children aged 6–10 years across 14 clinical sites. 111 of the original participants participated in Part 2. Randomized 1:1:1 for Test 1, Test 2, and control lenses.
- Primary Endpoints: Efficacy was recorded as change in baseline axial length and cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction.
- Findings: The Test 1 spectale lenses, which had a longer microscopic diffuser spacing and lower density, demonstrated superiority to the control in both study endpoints.
- Timeline: Study begin in February 2023 and is set to complete in late 2026.
- Participant Information: 195 participants myopic children aged 6-13 across 5 Chinese Hospitals. Participants were assigned study lenses in a 2:1 ratio.
- Primary Endpoints: Change from baseline in axial length and cyclopegic spherical equivalent
- Findings: Results demonstrated safety and effectiveness of DOT lenses in pediatric myopia management.
An ongoing trial of North American patients aims to assess the effectiveness of DOT spectacle lenses. In the trial, titled the Control of Myopia Using Peripheral Diffusion Lenses: Efficacy and Safety Study, or CYPRESS (NCT03623074), participants were randomized to receive Test 1, 2, or Control DOT lenses. Test 1 and 2 lenses differed based on spacing and density of translucent microscopic diffusers, which “scatter light and modulate retinal contrast,“ as stated by study authors.5 A selected number of participants from the original cohort were invited to participate in CYPRESS Part 2 (NCT04947735).5,6 “Control and Test 1 groups stayed with their original lenses, while Test 2 group cross over to Test 1,“ according to study authors.5 The Test 1 spectacle lenses, which had a longer microscopic diffuser spacing and lower density, demonstrated superiority to the control in both study end points. The study findings indicate that DOT 0.2 spectacle lenses are “safe and effective at reducing myopia progression, with additional benefit evident in year 2 of wear,” according to study authors.5
A similar study (NCT05562622) was conducted in China, and reported that DOT lenses slowed myopia progression by 67% and average axial length progression by 62%, compared to standard single vision control spectacle lenses.1,7,8 “These findings support the year one results from North American research and demonstrate DOT lenses can significantly slow myopia in children from diverse populations,” the study authors stated.7
“Eye care providers can feel confident that DOT lenses effectively slow myopia progression in children from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, demonstrating consistent results across both Asian and North American populations,” Deborah Laughton, BSc, PhD, who conducted the CYPRESS trial, previously told Optometry Times.8,9
Adoption into optical practice
DOT lenses began to rollout in 2021, and are now commercially available in Canada, China, Israel, Spain, and the UK.1 For eye care providers interested in learning more about DOT lenses, SightGlass vision launched their Control the Contrast professional education campaign in May 2026. Providers can directly message SightGlass Vision representatives to learn more about how they may be able to bring DOT lenses into their practices.1,2
“DOT lenses fill the need for an easy and highly effective solution to offer families, and having strong clinical evidence behind that recommendation gives us greater confidence in those conversations with parents,” Craig McArthur, OD, from Peter Ivins Eye Care, stated in the release. DOT lenses are not yet commercially available in the US, but are expanding to other markets throughout the remainder of the year.1
References
DOT spectacle lenses surpass 2 million wearers. News release. SightGlass Vision. Published August 24, 2026. Accessed August 31, 2026.
Diffusion Optics Technology. SightGlass Vision. Accessed August 31, 2026. https://www.sightglassvision.com/diffusion-optics-technology/
Neitz J, Neitz M. Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT): A myopia control spectacle lens contrast theory. Translational Visual Science & Technology. 2024;13(10). doi: 10.1167/tvst.13.10.42
Glasses to stop myopia are successful in multi-site trial. News release. University of Washington School of Medicine. April 28, 2020. Accessed September 1, 2026. https://newsroom.uw.edu/news-releases/glasses-stop-myopia-are-successful-multi-site-trial/
Laughton D, Hill J, McParland M, et al. Control of myopia using diffusion optics spectacle lenses: 4-year results of a multicentre randomised controlled, efficacy and safety study (CYPRESS). BMJ Open Opthalmol. 2024;9(1). doi:10.1136/bmjophth-2024-001790.
Rappon J, Chung C, Young G, Hunt C, Neitz J, Neitz M, Chalberg T. Control of myopia using diffusion optics spectacle lenses: 12-month results of a randomized controlled, efficacy and safety study (CYPRESS). Br J Opthalmol. 2022:107(11):1709-1715. doi:10.1136/bjo-2021-321005
Hill JS, Laughton D, Wang DL, Chen Z. Control of myopia using contrast modulation spectacle lenses in a Chinese population: 24-month results. Inves Opthal & Vis Sci. 2025;66(8):2815.
Joy J. DOT lenses for slowing myopia progression worn by a total of 1 million children. Optometry Times. August 22, 2025. Accessed September 2, 2026. https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/dot-lenses-for-slowing-myopia-progression-worn-by-a-total-of-1-million-children
Kaiser EM, Laughton D. Clinical trial Q&A: New data on DOT lenses show strong global performance in myopia control. Optometry Times. May 27, 2025. Accessed August 31, 2026. https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/clinical-trial-q-a-new-data-on-dot-lenses-show-strong-global-performance-in-myopia-control
