Acuvue Abiliti 1-Day soft therapeutic lenses are daily-disposable soft contact lenses from Johnson & Johnson Vision that slow the progression of myopia (short-sightedness) in children. They use RingBoost technology — a ring-shaped zone that creates myopic defocus to signal the eye to slow its axial growth, while a central zone keeps distance vision clear. The child wears a fresh lens each day and removes it at night. At our partner clinics, a full myopia management programme starts from about £900 per year all-inclusive (roughly £75 per month), with initial fitting and assessment from around £250.
What is Acuvue Abiliti and how does it work?
Myopia, or short-sightedness, is when the eye grows slightly too long from front to back, so distant objects look blurred. In children, myopia tends to progress as the eye keeps elongating — and the higher it climbs, the greater the lifelong risk of serious eye problems later. Myopia management aims to slow that progression while the child is still growing.
Acuvue Abiliti 1-Day Soft Therapeutic Lenses are designed specifically for this. The lens has a clear central zone that corrects the child's prescription for sharp distance vision, surrounded by RingBoost technology — a ring-shaped treatment zone that deliberately focuses some light in front of the peripheral retina. This peripheral myopic defocus acts as a brake signal, telling the eye to slow its axial elongation. The lens is worn during the day, single-use, and removed before sleep.
There is also an Acuvue Abiliti Overnight lens (an orthokeratology, or ortho-k, option worn during sleep), but this page covers the soft daily-disposable lens worn by day. Abiliti soft lenses are typically fitted for children and teenagers with progressing myopia, often around age 7 to 12 at the start of treatment.
Why slow myopia in childhood?
- Lower lifetime risk — higher myopia raises the lifelong risk of retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, glaucoma and earlier cataract
- Clear daytime vision — the central zone keeps distance vision sharp while the lens works in the background
- Hygienic and low-maintenance — a fresh, single-use lens each day means no cleaning solutions or storage cases
- Designed for children — fitted, trialled and monitored with young wearers and their parents in mind
- Evidence-led — part of a structured, monitored myopia management programme rather than a one-off purchase
Is your child's prescription getting stronger each year? A myopia management assessment includes axial length scans to measure how the eye is growing and confirm whether Abiliti soft lenses suit your child.
Book a myopia assessmentMyopia control options and how Abiliti compares
Acuvue Abiliti soft lenses are one of several proven ways to slow childhood myopia. None is universally "best" — the right choice depends on your child's age, prescription, lifestyle and how confident they are handling lenses. Your specialist will recommend the most suitable option, and these approaches are often combined.
For children not yet ready for daytime lenses, Stellest myopia control spectacles offer a glasses-based route, while orthokeratology (ortho-k) reshapes the cornea overnight so no lens is needed by day. Low-dose atropine eye drops can be used alone or alongside lenses. Your specialist will explain which combination suits your child.
Fitting and how it works
Fitting Abiliti soft lenses is a careful, child-friendly process. The aim is not only to correct vision but to set a baseline so progression can be tracked over time. Expect the first appointments to take a little longer while your child learns to handle the lenses.
- A comprehensive paediatric eye examination checks eye health and confirms the prescription.
- Axial length measurement (biometry) records how long the eye is — the key number used to monitor progression.
- A trial fit selects the right lens parameters and checks comfort, centration and vision.
- Handling training teaches the child and parent how to insert, remove and care for the lenses safely.
- Your child starts daily wear, with 6-monthly reviews to monitor prescription and axial length.
Daily wear and the monitoring routine
There is no surgery and no downtime — Abiliti soft lenses fit straight into a normal school day. Success comes from a simple daily habit and from keeping up regular reviews so the programme can be adjusted as your child grows.
Assessment & baseline
Full eye exam and axial length scan establish the starting point. Suitability for Abiliti soft lenses is confirmed.
Trial fit & training
Lens parameters chosen; child and parent learn confident insertion, removal and hygiene before taking lenses home.
Daily wear begins
A fresh single-use lens each morning, removed at night. Clear distance vision through the school day.
6-monthly reviews
Vision, prescription and axial length re-measured to confirm progression is slowing and the fit still suits.
Ongoing programme
Myopia management continues through the growing years, with options adjusted or combined as needed.
Cost & finance
Our myopia management pricing is designed to be predictable and all-inclusive, covering the assessment, scans, a year of lenses and the regular reviews so there are no surprises. Final pricing is confirmed at your consultation and reflects partner-clinic rates.
- Programme: from about £900 per year all-inclusive — roughly from £75 per month — covering initial assessment, axial length scans, a year of daily-disposable lenses and 6-monthly reviews.
- Initial fitting/assessment: from around £250 if booked separately.
- Finance: available to spread the cost; ask our team for current options. See our finance page for details.
Myopia management is a programme rather than a single appointment, so most families find the annual, all-inclusive structure easier to plan around. Full pricing is set out on our prices page.