International survey of contact lens fitting for myopia control in children

PURPOSE: To determine the extent of contact lens fitting for myopia control (MC) in children (defined as ≤ 17 years of age) worldwide and to characterize the associated demographics and fitting patterns. METHODS: Survey forms were sent to contact lens fitters in 66 countries between January and March every year for eight consecutive years (2011-2018, inclusive). Practitioners were asked to record data relating to the first 10 contact lens fits performed after receiving the survey form. Data were analysed for those countries reporting ≥ 100 contact lens fits to children. RESULTS: Data were analysed for 535 MC fits and 23,295 other (non-MC) lens fits undertaken in 31 countries reporting ≥ 100 contact lens fits to children, with 52.1% of MC fits and 12.0% of non-MC fits being with rigid lenses (p < 0.0001). Overall, MC lenses represented 2.3% of all contact lens fits to children, with significant differences between nations (p < 0.0001), ranging from no MC fits recorded in the Czech Republic, Greece, Japan, South Korea and Puerto Rico, to 24.9% in Austria. There has been an increase in contact lens fitting for MC over the survey period (p < 0.0001). MC contact lenses were fitted to younger children compared to non-MC lenses (MC, median 13 years vs. non-MC, median 15 years) (p < 0.0001). There was no sex bias in the fitting of MC lenses (p = 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: MC lenses are currently being prescribed for younger children in equal measure in terms of soft vs. rigid lenses and males vs. females. The extent of MC fitting is low and varies between nations. The gradual increase in MC fitting throughout the survey period perhaps reflects growing concerns among practitioners over the myopia epidemic.