OPTICAL PRISM | NEWS
Companies Accelerating access to sightGlass
CooperCompanies and EssilorLuxottica have inked a joint venture agreement to accelerate commercialization of Sight- Glass Vision lenses , designed to reduce the progression of myopia in children .
“ Our collaboration with Essilor delivers on our promise to make myopia management accessible and the standard of care for treating childhood myopia ,” says Daniel McBride , president of CooperVision .
" With the SightGlass Vision technology from this collaboration , MiSight 1 day and orthokeratology contact lenses from CooperVision , and Stellest lenses from Essilor , ECPs can create a comprehensive optical intervention portfolio to treat the growing number of children impacted by myopia . Eye care professionals and caregivers need access to a range of effective treatments and we are committed to bringing effective products to market for them .”
The joint venture will leverage the companies ’ shared scientific and product development expertise , strengthening innovation opportunities and go-tomarket capabilities , the companies say . It builds on SightGlass Vision ’ s research , development and clinical progress since its founding in 2016 .
Myopia is projected to affect the vision of about five billion people globally by 2050 , more than doubling today ’ s numbers . Myopic progression has been linked to sight-threatening conditions later in life such as cataracts , retinal detachment , glaucoma and myopic maculopathy .
SightGlass Vision Diffusion Optics Technology ( DOT ) lenses , which are approved for sale in Canada , employ a mechanism of action that modulates peripheral contrast with no impact to on-axis vision . With this technology , contrast modulation is quantified and controlled , and the amount of contrast reduction is not vergence dependent ( i . e ., not affected by the fixation distance ). The device has an excellent safety profile , is visually well-tolerated , and is cosmetically acceptable .
“ We have a shared commitment to advancing evidence-based myopia management technologies ,” says Thomas Chalberg , PhD , founder and CEO of SightGlass . “ This groundbreaking collaboration only adds to our confidence about the future of the technology , the potential for the category and the millions of children whose myopia progression could be slowed .”
The joint venture will acquire Sight- Glass Vision from CooperCompanies and the closing of the acquisition and creation of the joint venture is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions . Cooper- Companies previously held a minority ownership interest in SightGlass Vision and completed its acquisition of Sight- Glass Vision in January 2021 . OP