- Myopia in children is rising rapidly: it is expected that nearly half of the world’s population will be short-sighted by 2050.
- Myopia control does not stop myopia, but it does slow down the growth of the eye. This reduces the risk of eye problems later in life.
- Opzie Omnifocal utilises proven EDOF technology, the same optical design that was investigated in the PROTECT study.
- After two years, the study showed a 53 per cent reduction in the increase in prescription strength and an 86 per cent reduction in axial length growth compared with the control group.
- Opzie is a comfortable daily disposable contact lens, CE-marked and safe for use from the age of 6.
- The effect is greatest when combined with the 20-20-2 rule.
Do you recognise that moment in the consultation room? A child walks in and their glasses need to be a bit stronger yet again. That’s no coincidence: myopia (short-sightedness) in children is rising rapidly, and without intervention, the prescription often continues to increase year after year. The good news is that myopia control can slow down this process. With the Opzie Omnifocal daily disposable contact lens, we’re using a clinically proven method. The optical principles behind it have been extensively researched in VTI’s PROTECT study, a rigorous clinical trial. In this blog, we explain what myopia control is, why short-sightedness is becoming so widespread, and why Opzie has been proven to be effective. We break down the figures to show what they mean for the child and for your practice.
What is myopia control and why is it so important?
Myopia control refers to the range of treatments that slow the progression of short-sightedness in children. It is not just about seeing better right now, but about limiting the growth of the eye. In myopia, the eye’s axial length becomes too long, causing images to focus in front of the retina rather than on it. The longer the eye becomes, the more severe the myopia and the greater the risk of eye problems later in life.
These risks are the real reason why myopia control matters. High myopia increases the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma and cataracts later in life. The Oogfonds warns that high myopia significantly increases the risk of serious eye conditions. Every dioptre we prevent in a child therefore contributes to the long-term health of the eye. At Smeyel , we regard myopia control as an essential part of children’s eye care: it involves early intervention, precisely during the years when the eye is growing most rapidly.
Why is myopia increasing so rapidly among children?
Myopia is on the rise because children are spending more and more time looking at close-up objects and less and less time outdoors. A lot of screen time, a lot of reading and little daylight encourage the eye to grow. It is largely a lifestyle issue, and that is precisely why something can be done about it. The figures show just how big this problem has become.
Globally, the numbers are rising rapidly. According to widely cited projections, around half of the world’s population will be short-sighted by 2050, compared with 23 per cent around the year 2000. In the Netherlands, half of those in their twenties are already short-sighted. Myopia often develops between the ages of 6 and 12, precisely when children are learning to read and spending more time looking at screens.
You cannot completely stop this progression, but you can slow it down. As well as lenses, we advocate healthy viewing habits. Consider the 20-20-2 rule: after 20 minutes of close-up work, look into the distance for 20 seconds, and ensure you spend at least 2 hours outdoors every day. You can read more about the sensible use of multifocal contact lenses in our previous blog post.
Has Opzie been proven effective for myopia control?
Yes. The optics of the Opzie Omnifocal have been clinically investigated in the PROTECT study, a randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial into myopia control in children. After two years, the treatment slowed the progression of prescription by 53% and axial length growth by 86%, compared with a control group. This makes Opzie an evidence-based choice, not just a promise.
PROTECT stands for PROgressiveMyopia Treatment Evaluationfor NaturalVue Multifocal ContactLens Trial. It has been designed as a strictly controlled trial: children are randomly assigned, and neither the participant nor the assessor knows who is receiving which treatment. This is precisely the type of evidence that you, as an eye care professional, want to be able to rely on. The official VTI study page provides the details and the original posters.
The Opzie Omnifocal uses the same EDOF technology that is the focus of this study. If you want to know exactly what you’re prescribing, take a look at the Opzie Omnifocal daily disposable lens with all its specifications.
What exactly does the PROTECT study show?
The PROTECT study shows a significant effect after two years: a 0.59 dioptre reduction in the rate of myopia progression (a 53 per cent reduction) and a 0.22 mm reduction in axial length growth (an 86 per cent reduction) compared with the control group. Almost two-thirds of the children had axial length growth comparable to that of their non-short-sighted peers.
The interim results were also promising. Based on the one-year data presented by VTI, there was a 71% (0.41 D) reduction in the increase in prescription and a 61% (0.17 mm) reduction in axial length growth; 58% of wearers were already growing at the rate of a non-short-sighted child at that stage.
Another key finding: the effect was consistent across different pupil sizes. According to the two-year data, the lens was effective for pupils ranging from 2 to 7 mm, which is ideal for children who spend a lot of time playing outdoors as well as looking at screens. The dropout rate in the study was low, which the researchers attribute to the comfort and good vision provided by the lenses. A detailed explanation of the study design can be found in this Q&A about the PROTECT study.
How does Opzie Omnifocal slow the progression of myopia?
Opzie slows the progression of myopia using Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) optics. This unique parabolic design directs the light so that the peripheral image falls in front of the retina. This signal tells the eye to stop growing any further. This tackles the cause of myopia, rather than just the symptom of blurred vision.
The difference compared to a standard multifocal lens lies in its smooth depth-of-field profile. Traditional multifocal lenses use separate zones and therefore are more likely to cause halos or glare. Opzie’s EDOF optics, on the other hand, provide a sharp, stable image at all distances, regardless of lighting conditions. You can read more about this clever optical principle in our blog post on the lens that adapts as you grow.
Comfort is also a key factor. Opzie is a wafer-thin daily disposable lens with an ultra-thin tapered edge, ensuring the lens barely interacts with the eyelid. It is made from Etafilcon A, a hydrogel with a 58% water content for natural hydration throughout the day. Comfort is no afterthought: a lens that feels comfortable is worn consistently, and consistent wear is exactly what myopia control requires.
From what age and for whom is Opzie suitable?
Opzie is safe for use from the age of 6 and is intended for children in whom myopia is developing. Thanks to its universal power and wide range of strengths from +4.25 to -12.25 dioptres, the lens is suitable for almost every young wearer. The same lens is also an excellent solution for presbyopia in adults, meaning that Opzie literally grows with the wearer.
Safety is our top priority. Opzie bears the CE mark and complies with the strictest European standards, with a batch number ensuring full traceability. As a daily disposable lens, it is also practical: a fresh, clean lens every day means a lower risk of contamination and infections. This offers peace of mind for parents and convenience for young wearers. If you’re unsure whether daily disposable lenses are suitable for your child, our guide to daily disposable lenses will help you decide.
Opzie in practice: myopia control without compromise
For parents, Opzie offers a solution that is both comfortable and affordable, without compromising on quality or safety. For eye care professionals, it means a lens you can recommend with confidence, backed by the results of a rigorous clinical trial. You don’t have to choose between clear vision today and healthy eyes tomorrow: Opzie delivers both.
This also works well in practice. The simple fitting of a daily disposable lens reduces consultation time and makes myopia management accessible to a wider group of families. In this way, we help both eyes and practices to thrive. If you’d like to start using Opzie, please visit the Opzie Omnifocal daily disposable contact lens product page for more information or get in touch with us.
Frequently asked questions
What is myopia control?
Myopia control involves slowing down the progression of myopia (short-sightedness) in children. The aim is not only to ensure clear vision today, but above all to limit the growth of the eyeball. In myopia, the eyeball becomes too long, causing the prescription to increase. With treatments such as special multifocal contact lenses, combined with healthy viewing habits, you can slow down this growth. This reduces the likelihood of a child developing high myopia, which later increases the risk of serious eye conditions.
Has Opzie been clinically proven to be effective against myopia?
Yes. The EDOF optics of the Opzie Omnifocal were investigated in the PROTECT study, a randomised, double-blind, multicentre clinical trial. After two years, the study showed a 53% lower increase in prescription strength and an 86% lower rate of axial length growth compared with a control group. This makes Opzie a clinically supported choice for myopia control in children. The full evidence base and the original study posters can be found on VTI’s official PROTECT page.
What is the PROTECT study?
PROTECT stands for PROgressive Myopia Treatment Evaluation for NaturalVue Multifocal Contact Lens Trial. It is a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of multifocal EDOF daily disposable contact lenses for myopia control in children. Children are randomly assigned, and neither the participant nor the assessor knows who is receiving which treatment. This makes it one of the most reliable forms of clinical evidence. The study spans several years and has reported positive results after both one and two years.
To what extent does Opzie slow the progression of myopia?
In the PROTECT study, a slowdown in the rate of myopia progression of 0.59 dioptres was measured after two years, representing a 53% reduction compared with the control group. The growth of the axial length of the eye was slowed by 0.22 mm, a reduction of 86 per cent. Almost two-thirds of the children’s axial length growth was comparable to that of a non-short-sighted peer. Important to note: the exact effect varies from child to child and depends in part on consistent wear and healthy viewing habits.
At what age can my child start wearing Opzie?
Opzie is safe to use from the age of 6. The wide range of powers and universal addition make the lens suitable for almost any young wearer. You should always decide, together with an eye care professional, whether Opzie is the right choice for your child. They will assess your child’s eyes, fit the lens and explain how to use and care for it safely.
What is EDOF optics?
EDOF stands for Extended Depth of Focus. Whereas a traditional multifocal lens uses separate zones for distance and near vision, EDOF employs a smooth, parabolic design. This provides a sharp and stable image at all distances, with less risk of halos or glare. EDOF is of interest for myopia control because it directs light in such a way that it signals the eye to stop growing any further.
Can the progression of myopia be stopped completely?
No, progressive myopia cannot be completely stopped, but it can be slowed down. Once the eye has grown longer, it does not become shorter again. That is why myopia control is all about early intervention: the sooner you slow down the growth, the lower the final prescription will be. A combination of proven lenses such as Opzie and healthy viewing habits, such as the 20-20-2 rule, yields the best results. Every dioptre prevented contributes to long-term eye health.
Are there any side effects such as halos or glare?
Halos and glare are well-known drawbacks of traditional multifocal lenses, which use separate optical zones. Opzie Omnifocal utilises EDOF optics with a smooth parabolic design, specifically to minimise these undesirable effects. As a result, the image is sharp and stable, regardless of pupil size or lighting conditions. In the PROTECT study, the dropout rate was low, which the researchers attribute to comfort and good vision. If a wearer does experience any discomfort, they should discuss this with their eye care professional.
What is the 20-20-2 rule?
The 20-20-2 rule is a simple habit to help relieve strain on children’s eyes. After every 20 minutes of close-up work, look into the distance for 20 seconds, and ensure at least 2 hours of outdoor activity per day. Focusing on close-up tasks and a lack of daylight stimulate the eye to grow, so this rule helps to slow the progression of myopia. At Smeyel , we see this as an important complement to contact lenses: myopia control works best when you combine a proven aid with healthy viewing habits.
Where can I get Opzie?
Opzie is fitted and supplied by eye care professionals, ensuring the lens is correctly adjusted to the child’s eye. You can find a provider near you via our page listing opticians and clinics. Full details about the lens, such as material, power range and packaging, can be found on the product page for the Opzie Omnifocal daily disposable lens. An eye care professional will assess whether Opzie is suitable for your child and provide guidance on use and care.
