A new spectacle lens design using defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) technology has demonstrated the ability to halt myopia progression in children, according to a press release that outlined clinical trial results presented at the ARVO 2026 Annual Meeting.

The randomized controlled trial, conducted by HOYA Vision Care in collaboration with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, included 196 myopic children aged 4 to 12 years in Hong Kong. After 12 months, children wearing the MiYOSMART iQ spectacle lenses showed no myopia progression on average. The mean change in spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) was +0.046 D in the MiYOSMART iQ group, compared with −0.534 D in children wearing single-vision lenses. Mean axial length increased by 0.075 mm in the treatment group vs 0.346 mm in the control group. These findings correspond to a reported myopia control efficacy of over 100%, and 9 out of 10 children experienced halted clinically relevant myopia progression over the first year, the company said in the press release.

In children aged 7 to 12 years, the researchers reported a 94% reduction in axial elongation and over 100% efficacy in refractive error control. Mean SER changes were +0.155 D in the treatment group compared with −0.511 D in the control group, and axial length increased by 0.019 mm vs 0.310 mm, respectively.

Results in children aged 4 to 6 years, which the company says is the first demonstration of DIMS-based spectacle lens efficacy in this age group, showed 65% myopia control efficacy for SER and 44% for axial length over 12 months. Mean SER changes were −0.220 D in the MiYOSMART iQ group compared with −0.635 D in the control group. Axial length increased by 0.266 mm vs 0.475 mm, respectively.

MiYOSMART iQ incorporates updated DIMS technology with a triple enhanced design (TED), which includes defocus segments that are positioned closer to the optical center to stimulate the near-peripheral retina, increased defocus power to enhance the myopic defocus signal, and an expanded treatment zone to improve peripheral retinal coverage. These design features are intended to optimize the delivery of myopic defocus, a mechanism associated with slowing eye growth and myopia progression. “[Previous research] stated that the near peripheral retina may be a sweet spot for the detection of myopic deep focus, that can help control eye glows and support long-term vision development,” said Kazuma Kozu, R&D director at Hoya Vision Care, in a press preview presentation on April 22, 2026.

The study also reported high compliance—ie, consistent daily, all-day wear—among participants.

“Even with the treatment, the progression rate is approximately 0.22 in the 4 to 6 age group, which is known to have very, very fast progression. That's why we are especially interested to…see whether now we can effectively or significantly slow down myopia progression with the MiYOSMART iQ lens,” said Professor Chi Hoto, visiting chair professor of experimental optometry at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in the press presentation. He also discussed the importance of early intervention.

Serge Resnikoff, chair of the International Myopia Institute, added in the press presentation that barriers to access and affordability must also be addressed, in addition to technology development. “We need to work with the governments and with the policymakers,” he said, “because individual level actions are important, but it also requires system level actions, such as integrating vision screening, particularly for preschool and other very young children.”

MiYOSMART iQ lenses are currently approved in China and Canada, but are not yet FDA-approved in the United States.