J&J Vision, Menicon Begin Myopia Contact Lens Making Partnership

Johnson & Johnson Vision began a global strategic collaboration with Menicon, a contact lens manufacturer. The collaboration is part of a larger commitment from J&J Vision to help reshape myopia’s future—and bring forward a portfolio of products and services to manage myopia progression in children.
 
Myopia is a chronic and progressive disease that poses the biggest eye health threat of the 21st Century¹. Children ages 12 and younger are among the most vulnerable², and half of the world’s population is projected to be myopic by 2050 with one billion people expected to have high myopia³. Myopia may be caused by both environmental and genetic factors that may increase risk of retinal detachment, degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma—all of which can lead to visual impairment and blindness⁴.
 
“For decades, Johnson & Johnson Vision has invested in research collaborations with academic centers, research institutes and leading global health organizations who share our vision of leading with science to reshape the future of myopia and eye health,” Peter Menziuso, Global President, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care told the press. “Our collaboration with Menicon marks another step forward to bring a portfolio of differentiated products to help manage the progression of myopia in children, as we work towards our vision of helping the world see better, connect better, live better.”
 
Menicon will develop and manufacture the contact lenses to help manage progression of myopia in children. J&J Vision will focus on expanding availability of these lenses around the world.
 
The collaboration with Menicon addresses the growing myopia epidemic, following development of a first-of-its-kind myopia management guide with new recommendations for eye care professionals, and establishment of a novel research partnership with the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) and the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI).
 
“As eye care practitioners, we see the long-term impact when myopia progresses or worsens, which can lead to other eye disease and even loss of vision,” said Professor Ian Flitcroft, M.A., D.Phil, FRCOphth. “There is no safe level of myopia and there is an emerging need for more myopia treatment options, with an even greater need for industry, eye care providers, and parents to collaborate and help stop the progression of myopia in children.”
 
References
¹ JJV data on file: Myopia Compendium.
² National Eye Institute. Nearsightedness – Who is at Risk? Available at https://nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes/myopia. Last accessed September 2019.
³ Holden et al Ophthalmol 2016; 123: 1036.
⁴ [1] Fredrick, D. R. (2002). Myopia. BMJ, 324(7347), 1195-1199. doi:10.1136/bmj.324.7347.1195.