Meta-analysis Describes DIMS Spectacles’ Efficacy Against Myopia

While all six studies in this meta-analysis demonstrated the superiority of DIMS lenses over single-vision lenses for pediatric myopia, treatment effects varied by age and baseline axial length. Older children showed slower progression and a stronger response, while those with higher baseline axial length benefited less from treatment.Photo: Hoya Vision Care. Click image to enlarge. Randomized trials have demonstrated the efficacy of defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses as a treatment for myopia. These lenses employ simultaneous myopic defocus to mitigate axial elongation in children, with one study showing a 52% reduction in myopia progression and a 62% decrease in axial elongation over two years; single-vision lenses were used as a control. Other head-to-head data remains limited, prompting a group of investigators to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis. It found that DIMS lenses showed a benefit over the first year, though the durability of this effect beyond this initial period remains uncertain.The researchers scoured several databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science, identifying six relevant studies that encompassed a total of 1,224 children, primarily from China (80.1%). The participants, whose mean ages ranged from approximately 8.75 to 11.5 years, were assessed for both spherical equivalent refractive (SER) changes and axial elongation over the first 12 months of lens wear.The results indicated that DIMS lenses significantly reduced myopia progression and axial elongation compared to non-intervention (conventional single vision refractive correction), showing a mean difference of 0.37D for SER deterioration and -0.16mm for axial elongation. Variations in treatment effects were observed based on age and baseline characteristics; older children generally exhibited slower progression, while those with longer baseline axial lengths tended to show less responsiveness to treatment.The included studies exhibited moderate to high heterogeneity, though sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the pooled estimates. The study authors pointed out in their paper, “Whether this one-year effect represents a clinically meaningful benefit remains uncertain.” While all studies supported this benefit, they noted that “the size of the effect was not equal across them.” Moreover, since the majority of children were from China, it’s unclear whether these results can be generalized to other populations.The researchers also point out that since follow-up was limited to 12 months, “the durability of DIMS effects over the peak years of myopia progression and into adolescence remains uncertain.” Therefore, they argued, “Longer-term data are still needed to determine whether the benefit observed in the first year is sustained over time and whether continued wear confers additional incremental benefit beyond the initial treatment period.”Despite these limitations, overall, “the findings indicate that DIMS lenses are a simple, safe and effective option,” the authors concluded, while adding that “treatment planning should consider age, baseline eye size and prior therapy.”Click here for the journal source. Al-Shammari YM, Alkandari SA, Al-Shammari RM, Al-Mahdi Al-Kurdi M, Aljassar F. Defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses versus single-vision lenses for pediatric myopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Ophthalmol. February 26, 2026. [Epub ahead of print].  This article was developed by the editorial staff in conjunction with experts in the field. In the process, AI may have been among the editorial tools used to meet the goals of human editors, who approved all content.