World Lens Manufacturer Giant J&J is granted access by Health Canada

Johnson & Johnson Vision, the eye health subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, announced in a press release that its brand-new ACUVUE® Abiliti™ 1-Day Soft Therapeutic Lenses targeting myopia management in children have received green light from Health Canada.

These single-use lenses, which are made of silicone hydrogel (senofilcon A) lens material, are mainly designed to slow the progression of myopia, especially for children who are 7 to 12 years old at the start of treatment.

“The approval from Health Canada for ACUVUE® Abiliti™ 1-Day lenses marks another major step forward in our collaborative efforts with parents and eye care professionals to reshape the future of myopia,” said Xiao-Yu Song, MD, PhD, Global Head of Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson Vision.

The company also revealed that with each annual purchase of an Abiliti™ products they would provide a free comprehensive eye health exam to a child in need through Sight for Kids – a joint program between Johnson & Johnson Vision and the non-profit Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF). 

Myopia in a nutshell

Myopia (nearsightedness) is a chronic and progressive disease that seems to be the biggest eye health threat of the 21st Century. According to a recent study, half of the world’s population is estimated to be myopic by 2050, with nearly one billion people expected to have high myopia. Hence, myopia in children should be addressed immediately as myopic children who are under 12 are more likely to develop high myopia, which could lead to sight loss later in life - if not treated.