New research from HOYA Vision Care is demonstrating the highest myopia-control efficacy results to date among pediatric patients wearing HOYA's spectacle lens technology.
The data was presented in partnership with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University during this week’s 2026 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) meeting in Denver, Colorado.
Let’s begin with this spectacle lens technology.
Better known as Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (D.I.M.S.), this is a patented, non-invasive technology designed to correct myopic refractive error and enable clear vision among pediatric patients.
How it works: Embedded in HOYA’s MiYOSMART spectacle lenses, DIMS incorporates a honeycomb-patterned treatment area (the defocus zone) to help slow myopia progression, alongside a central clear zone (the focus zone) that contains the patient’s prescription.
- What this does: The focus zone provides sharp vision, while the surrounding defocus zone works at the same time to manage myopia.
And were these MiYOSMART spectacles included in the new research?
Yes … but not the original MiYOSMART (which debuted in 2018). Rather, an advanced version of these spectacle lenses were featured.
Some background: HOYA’s MiYOSMART spectacle lenses are designed with a highly impact-resistant, thin, and lightweight lens material. See here for more on their properties.
Comparatively, the MiYOSMART iQ—which the company unveiled earlier this year—is an upgraded variation encompassing the same lens properties as its predecessors in addition to a triple-enhanced design for superior effectiveness.
- Get a look at each of these designs.
Neither MiYOSMART or the D.I.M.S. technology is FDA approved yet, right?
Correct. As HOYA routinely notes in a product disclaimer: “MiYOSMART spectacle lenses have not been approved for use in the management of myopia in all countries, including the U.S., and are not currently available for sale in all countries, including the U.S.”
However: Outside of the United States, the company has reported the spectacles to be available in over 40 countries, including across Asia and Europe.
- And keep in mind: The regulatory status of its D.I.M.S. technology is contingent on that of MiYOSMART.
Gotcha. So about this research …
The new 12-month data is based on results from a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating 196 pediatric patients (aged 4 to 12) with:
- Spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) of at least -0.75 diopters (D) in both eyes
- Documented myopia progression(≥ 0.50D per year) in either or both eyes, or
- Fast axial elongation (≥ 0.27 mm per year) in either or both eyes
Also take note: This latest data readout follows HOYA’s release of 6-month findings from the study just a few months ago.
And how were participants divided?
Patients were age-stratified and randomized into three lens groups via a 1:1:1 ratio:
- MiYOSMART spectacles with D.I.M.S. technology
- MiYOSMART iQ spectacles with D.I.M.S. technology
- Single-vision (SV) spectacle lenses
What was evaluated?
Two main outcomes were measured from baseline to month 12.
- Changes in cycloplegic autorefraction (SER)
- Changes in axial length (AL)
Now to the findings.
We’ll start with the big-picture: Nine out of 10 children wearing MiYOSMART iQ lenses demonstrated no myopia progression on average over the first year of wear.
Give me some actual data to back this up.
After controlling for baseline age and myopia using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA):
The adjustment mean SER (±SE) over the 12-month period (per each group) was:
- MiYOSMART iQ: +0.05±0.06D
- MiYOSMART: -0.26D±0.06D
- SV: -0.53±0.06D
And the change in AL was
- MiYOSMART iQ: 0.08±0.02 mm
- MiYOSMART: 0.21±0.02 mm
- SV: 0.35±0.02 mm
Analyze those numbers.
In comparing the two MiYOSMART groups’ changes in SER and AL, they both exhibited less of a change when compared to the SV group.
Case in point:
- SER mean differences: MiYOSMART iQ: 0.58±0.08D, p<0.001; MiYOSMART: 0.28±0.08D, p=0.002, Bonferroni
- AL’s mean difference: MiYOSMART iQ: -0.27±0.03 mm, p<0.001; MiYOSMAR: -0.14±0.03 mm, p<0.001, Bonferroni
Did age impact any outcomes?
As the researchers noted in their ARVO abstract, the two-way ANCOVA uncovered significant differences in treatment effects by age group for both change in SER (F=10.83, p<0.001) and change in AL (F=49.42, p<0.001).
Looking specifically at the ages 4 to 6 group: Significant effects were observed among patients wearing the MiYOSMART iQ lens—but not the original MiYOSMART.
Why this is critical: It’s the first time the effects of the D.I.M.S. technology-based spectacles have been demonstrated in patients as young as age 4, according to investigators.
How significant were these effects?
Take a look at the numbers for MiYOSMART iQ, MiYOSMART, and SV lens wearers, respectively:
- Mean change in SER: -0.22D, -0.67D, and -0.64D
- Mean change in AL: 0.27 mm, 0.44 mm, and 0.48 mm
To sum it up: The investigators noted that the MiYOSMART iQ group’s change in AL was below or comparable to emmetropic growth over the 12-month period.
And the final takeaways?
With these favorable results, it’s only right we emphasis what was said earlier:
- “These are the highest myopia-control efficacy results reported to date in myopic children wearing D.I.M.S. technology-based spectacle lenses.”
Nice! Now, how does this data compare to those prior 6-month findings?
Those initial results also drew the same conclusions in the MiYOSMART iQ spectacles demonstrating “strong efficacy” in both myopia progression control and axial elongation.
In fact, those lenses were found to be twice as effective.
- Click here for more on that interim data.