17th June 2025 – In a groundbreaking public health initiative, the French Government has taken decisive steps to address the growing challenge of myopia among children. Following an in-depth review by the French Health Authority (HAS), France will become the first country in the European Union to offer reimbursement for HOYA Vision Care’s MiYOSMART* myopia control spectacle lenses – significantly expanding access for children affected by severe and progressive myopia.
This decision reflects the power of collective advocacy across ophthalmologists, opticians, health professionals, health insurances and government stakeholders, positioning France as a leader in championing children’s eye health across Europe.
From 1st July, children in France aged 5 to 16 with high (-6.00D) and/or rapidly progressive (-0.50D/year) myopia will be eligible to receive MiYOSMART myopia control spectacle lenses through a reimbursement basis. MiYOSMART is a clinically proven solution for myopia management.¹‚²‚³‚⁴ HOYA Vision Care has secured specific reimbursement for MiYOSMART myopia control spectacle lenses through inclusion in the List of Products and Services (LPP) code. This public coverage will be further supported by complementary health insurance, depending on the parents’ responsible contract to ensure access for as many priority children as possible.
Jean-Michel Lambert, General Manager of HOYA Vision Care France, said: "With more than 500,000 children in France set to be eligible to receive MiYOSMART spectacle lenses, this milestone is a hugely significant step forward for myopia management. At HOYA Vision Care, we believe that ‘Every Child Deserves Better’, and thanks to the dedication of the professionals and organizations who share this vision, we are proud to play our part in creating a healthier future, where every child has the opportunity to see clearly and unleash their full potential.”
In France, approximately 510,000 children aged 6-15 experience severe myopia defined as having (≤ -6.00D), or annual progression of ≥ 0.50D.⁵
Myopia, also known as short-sightedness, is a common eye condition whereby objects far away appear out of focus. By 2050, an estimated 5 billion people could be affected by myopia and annual myopia progression rate is most rapid under 12 years of age.¹ The urgency of prioritizing refractive error has been spotlighted by the World Health Organization’s SPECS2030 initiative, which aims to tackle distance vision impairment through strengthening advocacy, awareness, and vision care services.²
Early myopia treatment in children not only helps correct their vision but also helps to slow down myopia progression and protect long-term eye health. MiYOSMART is a spectacle lens based on revolutionary Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (D.I.M.S.) Technology. Backed by eight years of clinical follow-up data, the longest-running clinical study on myopia management spectacle lenses, wearing MiYOSMART myopia control spectacle lenses provide a continuous, long-term effective, safe, non-invasive myopia control strategy in children.4
In a 2-year randomised controlled clinical study, wearing MiYOSMART myopia control spectacle lenses slowed down myopia progression on average by 60%, compared to wearing standard single vision spectacle lenses.1
"As a society, we need to take urgent action to mitigate the burden of myopia by making it a global priority for governments and public health bodies” said Prof. Dominique Bremond-Gignac. “The reimbursement of MiYOSMART in France is a significant step forward in our fight against childhood myopia. I hope can signal a global movement, not only to acknowledge the need for prevention and early intervention but also ensuring effective treatments are accessible to those who need them most - ensuring no child’s vision is irreversibly compromised."
Since its launch in 2018, more than 12 million MiYOSMART myopia control spectacle lenses have already been purchased by parents in over 40 countries worldwide.³ HOYA Vision Care will continue evolving treatment solutions and supporting Eye Care Professionals every step of the way, to allow more myopic children access to effective and innovative care.
Product Disclaimer: *MiYOSMART myopia control spectacle lenses have not been approved for use in the management of myopia in all countries, including the U.S., and are not currently available for sale in all countries, including the U.S.
About the Confidence Through Evidence campaign
HOYA Vision Care launched its global Confidence Through Evidence campaign in 2023 to empower Eye Care Professionals in their everyday clinical practice. The campaign aims to educate Eye Care Professionals on the importance of evidence in childhood myopia, as well as bringing attention to the robust and extensive evidence that supports the confident use of MiYOSMART myopia control spectacle lenses for managing this condition.
