If your child has been told they’re short-sighted — and getting more short-sighted every year — you’re not alone. Myopia (short-sightedness) is one of the fastest-growing eye conditions among children in Australia, and in communities like Hurstville and across the Georges River area, we’re seeing more and more young patients whose vision is changing rapidly. The good news? There’s a powerful new tool in our myopia control toolkit: ACUVUE® Abiliti® 1-Day.
What Is ACUVUE® Abiliti® 1-Day?
ACUVUE® Abiliti® 1-Day is a daily disposable soft contact lens developed by Johnson & Johnson Vision — and it has been specifically designed to do something no standard contact lens can: slow the progression of myopia in children. It received TGA approval in Australia in early 2025 and was officially launched to Australian optometrists in August 2025, making it one of the newest and most exciting options available for managing childhood myopia.
Unlike regular contact lenses that simply correct vision, Abiliti® 1-Day is a therapeutic lens — meaning it actively works to slow how quickly your child’s eyes are changing.
How Does It Work?
The science behind Abiliti® 1-Day is its proprietary RingBoost™ technology — an innovative optical design that goes well beyond a traditional single-vision or even standard dual-focus lens. The lens features specialised treatment zones that redirect light in a way that signals the eye to slow its elongation, which is the key mechanism behind myopia progression.
In plain terms: the lens corrects your child’s vision clearly while simultaneously sending the right signals to their eye to discourage further growth. And critically, it doesn’t compromise vision quality in the process — which has historically been the trade-off with some other myopia control lenses.
What Does the Evidence Say?
The clinical data behind Abiliti® 1-Day is compelling:
- Shown to be approximately twice as effective at managing myopia compared to a dual focus lens
- Slows axial elongation (eye lengthening) by 0.25mm on average over a two-year period, compared to a single vision lens
- More than 95% of children wearing Abiliti® 1-Day achieved 6/6 vision or better
- Made from the same silicone hydrogel material as ACUVUE® OASYS® 1-Day — one of the most comfortable daily lenses on the market
These aren’t trivial numbers. Each millimetre of axial elongation matters enormously for long-term eye health. Left unchecked, myopia doesn’t just mean stronger glasses every year — it significantly raises the risk of serious conditions like myopic macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and glaucoma later in life.
Designed for Children, Not Just Adapted for Them
One of the things that stands out about Abiliti® 1-Day is that it was designed from the ground up for children’s eyes — not simply a scaled-down adult lens. It features a smaller diameter specifically engineered to suit the anatomy of younger eyes, making it easier for children to insert and remove independently. In fact, more than 90% of children reported that insertion and removal felt easy after just one month of wear.
For parents worried about the idea of their child wearing contact lenses, that’s a genuinely reassuring statistic. And there are added benefits beyond the clinical:
- Freedom from glasses during sports, outdoor play, and physical activity
- Research shows contact lens wear can boost children’s confidence and self-perception
- Improved participation in school activities and sports compared to glasses wearers
Who Is It Suitable For?
Abiliti® 1-Day is indicated for children aged 7 to 12 years old who are progressing in their myopia. Your optometrist will assess whether your child is a suitable candidate based on their prescription, eye health, and lifestyle. It’s a prescription-only therapeutic lens, which means a proper clinical assessment and fitting is required — and that’s exactly the kind of thorough care we provide at Viewpoint Optical.
Part of a Broader Approach to Myopia Control
At Viewpoint Optical, we believe myopia management is never one-size-fits-all. Abiliti® 1-Day joins a range of proven options we discuss with families, including MiyoSmart spectacle lenses (with D.I.M.S. technology), Orthokeratology (overnight contact lenses), and myopia control soft lenses — all tailored to your child’s individual needs, lifestyle, and the rate of their progression.
The arrival of Abiliti® 1-Day gives us another highly effective, evidence-based option — particularly for children who are ready for contact lenses and want an active, glasses-free lifestyle during the day.
Why Myopia Control Matters More Than You Think
It’s easy to view myopia as simply a glasses problem — just update the prescription and move on. But the reality is that every additional diopter of myopia measurably increases the risk of sight-threatening complications in adulthood. The earlier we can slow progression, the better the long-term outcome for your child’s eye health.
If you’ve noticed your child squinting, holding books close, or reporting blurry distance vision — or if their prescription has been creeping up year after year — now is the time to explore their options.
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Is Your Child’s Eyesight Getting Worse? Our optometrist at Viewpoint Optical can assess your child’s suitability for ACUVUE® Abiliti® 1-Day and discuss all myopia control options available — including MiyoSmart lenses and Orthokeratology. 📞 Call us today: 02 8021 2298 Or visit us in Hurstville — serving families across the Georges River area. |