May 14, 2021 — Johnson & Johnson Vision announced on Wednesday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Acuvue Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses. The company shares that this marks the first and only FDA approved orthokeratology (ortho-k) contact lens for the management of myopia.

“The FDA approval of Abiliti Overnight marks an important milestone in our commitment to help change the trajectory of eye health and reshape the future of children with myopia,” says Xiao-Yu Song, M.D., Ph.D, Johnson & Johnson Vision’s global head of research and development. “We look forward to supporting parents and eyecare professionals in their care of children with comprehensive resources, starting with Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses, and continuing with additional products and services to address the progression of myopia.”

Abiliti Overnight ortho-k contact lenses are specifically designed and fitted to match the eye based on its unique corneal shape to temporarily reshape the cornea. Abiliti Overnight will be available in two different contact lens designs: Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses and Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses for Astigmatism. 

Johnson & Johnson Vision shares that the contact lenses are optimized by the use of corneal topography, refractive error, and other measurements connected to a fitting software, designed to provides a precise measure of the corneal shape, and accurately guide the ECP through the fitting process for consistent and successful first fit rates of approximately 90%.

“The prevalence of myopia in children is increasing, and as optometrists we are on the front lines of this epidemic that may threaten the vision of future generations,” says Moshe Mendelson, O.D., FIAO. “For too long we have relied on increasing the prescription of glasses for children, while having few resources to address the underlying disease and help change this worrying trajectory of eye health. The FDA approval of Abiliti Overnight will provide eyecare professionals and parents with more options to manage myopia.” 

The FDA approval of Abiliti Overnight stems from Johnson & Johnson Vision's collaboration with Menicon to bring forward therapeutic contact lenses for the treatment of myopia under the Acuvue Abiliti brand. The company has shared that each annual purchase of an Abiliti product will provide a free comprehensive eye health exam to a child in need through Sight for Kids—a program from Johnson & Johnson Vision and the not-for-profit program from the Lions Clubs International Foundation. 

Abiliti Overnight contact lenses are expected to be available in the U.S. by the end of the year.

For more information: seeyourabiliti.com.