SightGlass DOT Lenses Significantly Slow Myopia Progression in Children: Study

In the CATHAY study, Chinese children wearing SightGlass Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) spectacle lenses experienced 67% slower myopia progression over 2 years and a 62% reduction in axial eye length growth compared with controls. Myopia progression of 0.5 diopters or less occurred in 59% of lens wearers versus 19% of children receiving standard correction.

Across the full study population of patients in China aged 6 to 13, the lenses slowed average myopia progression by 0.78D and average axial length progression by 0.40 mm after two years of wear versus the control group.1* The findings of 0.78D represent a 67% reduction in progression, and 0.40 mm represents a 62% reduction in axial length.1* The full study population findings were presented by Jennifer Hill in “Control of Myopia Using Contrast Modulation Spectacle Lenses in a Chinese Population: 24-Month Results” at the ARVO 2026 Annual Meeting, the global forum for the ophthalmology, optometry, and ocular science communities.

“Our CATHAY two-year results add to the robust data that establishes DOT lenses as a high-efficacy, non-defocus spectacle solution crucial for practices engaged in myopia management to complete their portfolio,” said Andrew Sedgwick, chief executive officer of SightGlass Vision. “The strength of the outcomes, particularly in younger children, reinforces the importance of early intervention.”

Unlike defocus-based solutions, DOT lenses are specifically designed to reduce retinal contrast signaling through the incorporation of light scattering elements.2 The CATHAY two-year results supplement the sizable body of clinical research that supports DOT lenses’ contrast management approach for myopia control.

Additional findings from the full study population showed that 59% of DOT lens wearers had 0.50D or less myopia progression after two years, compared with 19% of children in the control group. The differences were statistically significant (p<0.0001).

Building on its four-year North American CYPRESS study, SightGlass Vision initiated the CATHAY trial to compare DOT lenses with conventional single vision lenses and to evaluate their continued safety and efficacy in Chinese children across five clinical sites in China. A total of 172 myopic children aged 6 to 13 completed the second year of the study.

“The breadth of clinical research now available demonstrates why practitioners should adopt DOT lenses as a treatment strategy for myopia control,” said David Webley, senior director, clinical, medical, and professional affairs at SightGlass Vision. “The strong efficacy results from the CATHAY study continue to validate that contrast management, with DOT lenses, is an effective tool in the fight against the myopia epidemic.”

Other research presented at ARVO 2026 further expanded the understanding of DOT lens performance and wearer experience. “Pupil Size Effect on Myopia Progression with Contrast Modulation Spectacle Lenses” (Webley D, et al.) found no significant association between pupil size and the rate of myopia progression in children wearing DOT lenses at 12 months. In addition, “Viewing Behavior with Contrast Modulation Spectacle Lenses” (Kollbaum P, et al.) showed that children exhibited similar viewing behavior when wearing both DOT lenses and single vision lenses across a range of daily activities, suggesting good visual performance across the lens, in line with previous studies.