
Overnight lenses that reshape cornea could slow down myopia progression
Chennai: A new type of contact lens that can be worn overnight to help reshape the cornea and slow the eye's elongation, allowing people with myopia, or near-sightedness, to see without glasses or lenses during the day, will be tested in 200 children at city-based Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital for at least one and a half years, along with scientists from Japan.
Myopia is a growing epidemic, afflicting the eyes of children, said the hospital's Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Ashvin Agarwal. People with myopia can see close-up objects clearly, but to read blackboards, engage in cycling, driving, or recognising the faces of people down the road, they may need glasses. "From a prevalence of 4% in 1999 to 21% in 2019, myopia is expected to affect 40% of India's population by 2040 and touch close to 50% by 2050.
We are trying to slow down the progression," he said. Similarly, digital eye strain now affects 50%-60% of children in India, driven by increased screen time.
Orthokeratology lenses are gas-permeable, rigid contact lenses that temporarily reshape the cornea of your eye. "People wear these lenses while they are sleeping. When they wake up and remove these lenses, their cornea holds its new shape, allowing them to see clearly without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses," he said.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Pinga-Pinga e HBP? Tome isso 1x ao dia se tem mais de 40 anos
Portal Saúde do Homem
Clique aqui
Undo
In refractive errors, the cornea's shape is irregular, causing blurry vision. These lenses exert gentle hydraulic pressure on the tear film beneath the lens, which in turn reshapes the corneal cells, say experts.
This temporary change in corneal curvature allows light to focus properly on the retina. Experts say they work like dental retainers that maintain the shape of teeth. "It must be worn every night. Our test will show who is benefiting from these glasses," he said.
For the study, launched in Feb, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital has collaborated with Japan's Menicon Co Ltd for joint research on these lenses. This study will check the efficacy and safety of the orthokeratology lens for Indian children. "We aim to develop solutions and raise awareness about the treatment," said Menicon Co Ltd regional director (China and Asia-Oceania) Shunsuke Yamagishi.
These lenses won't be available for sale until doctors evaluate the benefits and side effects. "If this is successful, it will offer freedom from glasses and eventually show us the path towards a cure for myopia," Dr Agarwal said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
RFK Jr ousts entire US vaccine panel over alleged conflicts
US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Monday announced he was dismissing all current members of a key federal vaccine advisory panel, accusing them of conflicts of interest -- his latest salvo against the nation's immunization policies. The removal of all 17 experts of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) was revealed in a Wall Street Journal op-ed and an official press release. Kennedy, who has spent two decades promoting vaccine misinformation, cast the move as essential to restoring public trust, claiming the committee had been compromised by financial ties to pharmaceutical companies. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Live Comfortably: 60 m² Prefab Bungalow for Seniors in Santa Mesa Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo "Today we are prioritizing the restoration of public trust above any specific pro- or anti-vaccine agenda," he said in a statement from the Department of Health and Human Services. "The public must know that unbiased science -- evaluated through a transparent process and insulated from conflicts of interest - guides the recommendations of our health agencies." Live Events In his op-ed, Kennedy claimed the panel was "plagued with persistent conflicts of interest" and had become "little more than a rubber stamp for any vaccine." He added that new members were being considered to replace those ousted -- all of whom were appointed under former president Joe Biden . ACIP members are chosen for their recognized expertise and are required to disclose potential conflicts of interest. " RFK Jr . and the Trump administration are taking a wrecking ball to the programs that keep Americans safe and healthy," Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said in response. "Of course, now the fear is that the ACIP will be filled up with people who know nothing about vaccines except suspicion," Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, a medical doctor who expressed concern about Kennedy's track record during his Senate nomination but ultimately voted in his favor, wrote on X. "I've just spoken with Secretary Kennedy, and I'll continue to talk with him to ensure this is not the case." 'Silencing expertise' The decision drew sharp criticism from Paul Offit, a pediatrician and leading expert on virology and immunology who served on the panel from 1998 to 2003. "He believes that anybody who speaks well of vaccines, or recommends vaccines, must be deeply in the pocket of industry," Offit told AFP. "He's fixing a problem that doesn't exist." "We are witnessing an escalating effort by the Administration to silence independent medical expertise and stoke distrust in lifesaving vaccines," added Susan Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, in a statement. Once a celebrated environmental lawyer, Kennedy pivoted from the mid-2000s to public health -- chairing a nonprofit that discouraged routine childhood immunizations and amplified false claims, including the long-debunked theory that the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine causes autism. Since taking office, he has curtailed access to Covid-19 shots and continued to raise fears around the MMR vaccine -- even as the United States faces its worst measles outbreak in years, with three reported deaths and more than 1,100 confirmed cases. Experts warn the true case count is likely far higher. "How can this country have confidence that the people RFK Jr. wants on the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices are people we can trust?" Offit asked. He recalled that during US President Donald Trump 's first term, several states formed independent vaccine advisory panels after the administration pressured federal health agencies to prematurely approve Covid-19 vaccines ahead of the 2020 election. That kind of fragmentation, Offit warned, could happen again. ACIP is scheduled to hold its next meeting at the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta from June 25 to June 27. Vaccines for anthrax, Covid-19, human papillomavirus, influenza, Lyme disease, respiratory syncytial virus, and more are on the agenda.


Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
CM pats Dr Kalapala on his appointment as Associate Editor of IGIE
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has congratulated Dr Rakesh Kalapala, who is the Director of Endoscopy at the AIG Hospitals in Hyderabad on his appointment as the Associate Editor of the iGIE, the official journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). In his message through 'X', the Chief Minister said, 'Heartiest congratulations to Dr Rakesh Kalapala, the Director of Endoscopy at AIG Hospitals' Centre for Obesity and Metabolic Therapy on his prestigious appointment as Associate Editor of iGIE, the official journal of American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). This recognition honours Dr Kalapala's expertise and shines as a global spotlight on India's growing leadership in advanced medical research,' Naidu said. The Chief Minister also said that Dr Kalapala's achievement brings tremendous pride to both the Telugu community and the nation as well. Naidu wished Dr Kalapala continued success as he represents Indian medical excellence on the international platform. The AIG Hospitals too through 'X' congratulated Dr Kalapala on his appointment as the Associate Editor of iGIE and wished him a continued success as he contributes to shaping the future of endoscopic science and clinical practice across the globe. This prestigious editorial role reflects Dr Kalapala's global recognition as a leader in advanced endoscopy and obesity management, the AIG Hospitals said in its message.


Hans India
3 hours ago
- Hans India
New Covid variant XFG detected in 163 cases
New Delhi: A new Covid-19 variant known as XFG has been detected in 163 cases across India, according to the latest update from INSACOG, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium. A network of 54 laboratories across India that track how the virus that causes Covid-19 is changing, INSACOG plays a crucial role in flagging emerging variants so that public health systems can respond effectively. This comes at a time when active Covid-19 cases in the country are inching upwards, with over 6,000 active cases currently reported by the Union Health Ministry. What is XFG variant? XFG is a recombinant subvariant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which means it is formed by the mixing of two earlier variants, first detected in Canada. In this case, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 have combined to form XFG. Recombinant variants emerge when a person is infected with two different strains of the virus simultaneously, and the virus "mixes and matches" its genetic material. XFG is classified under the larger Omicron family of Covid-19 variants, which has been dominant globally since late 2021. According to INSACOG's latest data: Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of XFG cases (89), followed by Tamil Nadu (16), Kerala (15), Gujarat (11), and Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal (six each). Most of these cases (159) were detected in May 2024, while two each were reported in April and June. Indian scientists are closely watching XFG because of certain mutations in its spike protein, the part of the virus that helps it attach to and enter human cells. These include changes named His445Arg, Asn487Asp, Gln493Glu, and Thr572Ile, according to a report by The Lancet. These mutations may affect how easily the virus enters human cells, how well it evades the immune system, and how fast it spreads from person to person. While some of the changes reduce the virus's ability to latch onto human cells (what experts call reduced ACE2 receptor binding), others seem to help it evade immune responses, meaning it can escape detection by the body's natural defences or vaccines. This combination means that while XFG might not be as infectious as earlier strains, its immune evasion capabilities make it harder for the body to fight once infected, especially in people with weaker immunity or without updated vaccines. At the moment, there is no evidence to suggest that XFG is causing more severe illness or hospitalisations. However, its ability to spread quietly, by evading immunity, could make it a challenge if it becomes widespread. According to the Lancet report, XFG and other related emerging variants like NB.1.8.1, LF.7.9, and XFH show growth advantages, meaning they may be better at spreading than previous strains. These variants could potentially drive the next wave of infections if not monitored closely.