France First in EU to Reimburse Hoya MiYOSMART Lens for Childhood Myopia
France will begin reimbursing Hoya Vision Care’s MiYOSMART myopia control spectacle lenses for eligible children starting July 1. This move makes France as the first country in the European Union to provide public coverage for the lenses. The decision follows a review by the French Health Authority (HAS). It aims to expand access to treatment for children with high (-6.00D or more) and/or rapidly progressing myopia (worsening by -0.50D or more per year), a condition that currently affects more than 500,000 children aged 6 to 15 across France.⁵
According to Hoya, MiYOSMART lenses are based on patented Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (D.I.M.S.) technology, and are designed to offer a noninvasive, safe, and effective method for slowing the progression of myopia in children. Supported by more than 8 years of clinical data, MiYOSMART has been shown to reduce myopia progression by an average of 60% compared to standard single vision lenses.¹
“This milestone is a hugely significant step forward for myopia management,” Jean-Michel Lambert, General Manager of Hoya Vision Care France, said in a company news release. “At Hoya Vision Care, we believe that ‘Every Child Deserves Better.’ Thanks to the dedication of professionals and organizations who share this vision, we are proud to play our part in creating a healthier future where every child has the opportunity to see clearly and reach their full potential.”
Hoya secured inclusion of MiYOSMART in France’s List of Products and Services (LPP), enabling reimbursement under national health insurance. Additional support will come from complementary private insurance providers, depending on family coverage, with the goal of reaching as many eligible children as possible.
“As a society, we need to take urgent action to mitigate the burden of myopia,” said Prof. Dominique Bremond-Gignac, a leading pediatric ophthalmologist. “The reimbursement of MiYOSMART in France is a significant step forward in our fight against childhood myopia. I hope this will spark a global movement—ensuring effective treatments are accessible and no child’s vision is irreversibly compromised.”
References:
¹ Lam CSY, et al. Br J Ophthalmol. 2020.
² Lam CSY, et al. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2021.
³ Bao J, et al. Br J Ophthalmol. 2022.
⁴ Lam CSY, et al. Am J Ophthalmol. 2023.
⁵ HOYA internal market estimates, 2024.
⁶ Holden BA, et al. Ophthalmology. 2016.
⁷ WHO SPECS2030 Initiative.
⁸ HOYA Vision Care internal data, 2024.