Breakthroughs from the 2021 European Optometry Congress
In May 2021, as the world was navigating a global pandemic, eye care professionals from across Europe and beyond virtually converged for the European Optometry Congress in Rome. This gathering served as a critical platform where leading experts shared groundbreaking research that is actively reshaping how we understand, treat, and preserve vision 1 .
The congress highlighted a significant shift in the field—from traditionally managing vision problems to proactively preventing them through innovative technologies and therapies. The discussions and findings presented at this event continue to influence the standards of eye care today, offering new hope for millions dealing with conditions like myopia, dry eye disease, and more 1 .
Shifting from management to prevention of vision problems
Groundbreaking studies presented by leading experts
Professionals from across Europe and beyond
The scientific program at the Rome congress covered a vast landscape of topics, from pediatric optometry and visual neuroscience to advanced ocular surgery. The following areas saw particularly notable advancements.
With studies indicating that nearly half of the world's population may be myopic by 2050, controlling its progression in children has become a major public health focus 2 .
The FDA-approved MiSight 1 day soft contact lenses can reduce myopia progression by 59% and axial elongation by 52% compared to conventional lenses 2 .
Essilor's Stellest and Hoya's MiyoSmart lenses reported slowing myopia progression by 67% and 52%, respectively 2 .
The potential for the first FDA-approved atropine eye drop for myopia control was discussed, with drug NVK002 in late-stage Phase 3 trials 2 .
The congress highlighted several new therapeutic agents approved in 2020-2021, expanding the arsenal for managing common ocular conditions.
Loteprednol etabonate (Eysuvis) was approved as the first ocular corticosteroid specifically indicated for short-term treatment of dry eye disease 2 .
Teprotumumab (Tepezza) was a breakthrough discussed for Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), representing a shift away from "watch-and-wait" to active intervention 2 .
Acuvue Theravision with Ketotifen is a contact lens that releases an antihistamine medication to relieve itchy eyes due to allergies 2 .
The surge in myopia control has led to more children wearing contact lenses than ever before. A critical question addressed at the congress was: Is long-term contact lens wear safe for a child's developing eyes?
This seminal study, led by researchers including Woods J. et al., and recognized as one of CORE's "Top 10 of 2021" papers, set out to provide a definitive answer .
Prospective, multi-site global trial with the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) as the largest clinical site .
Children between the ages of 8 and 12 years at the beginning of the trial .
Children were fitted with daily disposable soft contact lenses and followed for six years with rigorous annual examinations .
With 92 children completing the study, the data represented 653 lens-wearing years of experience .
The findings of this long-term study were overwhelmingly positive and have had a profound impact on clinical practice .
| Assessment Parameter | Baseline Observation | Observation at 6 Years |
|---|---|---|
| Corneal Integrity | Normal for all participants | Consistent with baseline |
| Conjunctival Redness | Within normal limits | Within normal limits |
| Lid & Adnexa Health | Normal | Normal |
| Serious Adverse Events | None | None |
The research and clinical advances discussed in Rome are powered by a suite of sophisticated tools and reagents.
| Tool/Reagent | Function in Research & Practice |
|---|---|
| Daily Disposable Soft Lenses | The primary intervention in long-term safety studies; made of biocompatible hydrogel or silicone hydrogel materials to minimize deposit buildup and complications . |
| Slit Lamp Biomicroscope | The essential diagnostic tool for in-depth ocular health assessment. It allows for magnified examination of the eyelids, cornea, iris, and lens 5 . |
| In Vitro Blink Model | A sophisticated laboratory apparatus that simulates human blinking, temperature, and tear flow. Used to test protein/lipid deposition on contact lenses . |
| Radiolabeled Biocides | A highly sensitive analytical method using traceable radioactive labels to precisely quantify the uptake and release of contact lens solution disinfectants . |
| OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) | A non-invasive imaging technology that captures high-resolution, cross-sectional images of the retina. Vital for diagnosing and monitoring diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration 6 . |
Beyond individual tools, the congress also spotlighted a macro-trend in data utilization. A 2024 study, building on the momentum of 2021, demonstrated how real-world data from optometric practices can dramatically improve diagnostic tools 6 .
| Database Characteristic | Traditional Database | Real-World Database |
|---|---|---|
| Sample Size | ~398 eyes 6 | ~4,932 eyes and growing 6 |
| Statistical Power | Limited | Enhanced; allows for more precise estimates |
| Analysis of Covariates | Challenging (age, ethnicity, anatomy) | More feasible and accurate |
| Confidence Bands on Percentiles | Wider, less precise | Tighter, more accurate diagnostic cut-offs |
The 2021 European Optometry Congress in Rome was far more than an academic meeting; it was a demonstration of a field in rapid and purposeful evolution.
The breakthroughs presented—from proven-safe myopia control for children and revolutionary drug-delivery systems to the power of big data in refining diagnostics—collectively paint a picture of a future where vision loss is not just managed, but proactively prevented.
The sustained investment in vision research, as underscored by the National Eye Institute's updated strategic plan with its mission to "eliminate vision loss and improve quality of life," is yielding tangible, life-changing results 4 . As these innovations continue to trickle down from the congress hall to the clinic, they empower eye care professionals to offer more effective, safer, and more personalized care, ensuring that people of all ages can look forward to a lifetime of clear sight.