CooperVision MiSight 1-Day Contact Lens Approved in China

The Chinese National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved CooperVision MiSight 1 day contact lenses for use within the country following a priority review. The innovative soft contact lenses have now become the first indicated product of any type in China that may slow the progression of axial length.

“Everyone at CooperVision is committed to combatting the increasing prevalence and severity of myopia among children. It has become one of the world’s most pressing global eye health issues—with implications for generations to come,” said Daniel G. McBride, President, CooperVision. “We are enthusiastic about MiSight 1-day contact lenses’ impact in partnership with highly-knowledgeable ophthalmologists and health care leaders across China. This development will further expand the global reach of our evidence-based technologies and clinical successes.”

Myopia—also known as nearsightedness and short-sightedness—is projected to affect the vision and increase risks to ocular health of approximately five billion people by 2050, more than doubling today’s numbers, according to a 2016 study. Myopic progression has been linked to sight-threatening conditions later in life, such as cataracts, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy.

In China, myopia prevalence has increased at a significant rate in recent years. While 14.3 percent of children six years old are myopic, prevalence soars to 80.5 percent among high school students, according to data found by the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC).

According to this data from the NHC, myopia prevalence in China is up 2.5 percent from 2019 to 2020, commonly attributed to children’s increased indoor time and digital screen use. Myopia rates in primary schools are rising rapidly as children age, from 12.9 percent in the first grade to 59.6 percent in the sixth grade. On average, myopia increased by 9.3 percentage points per grade.