Myopia, or nearsightedness, affects about one-third of adults in the United States and is rising worldwide, particularly in children. Standard treatment is glasses or contact lenses, plus LASIK or other surgery for adults who want to reduce their dependence on corrective lenses. Research now focuses on slowing myopia progression in children and understanding the environmental factors driving the global increase.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing low-dose atropine eye drops, specialty contact lenses, and increased outdoor time to slow myopia worsening in children. Studies also examine the role of screen time, near work, and light exposure in myopia development. For adults, researchers are refining surgical techniques and exploring new lens implants, though most work targets prevention rather than reversal of existing myopia.
Atropine eye drops
Low-dose atropine (0.01% to 0.05%) slows myopia progression in children by about 50% in most studies. Trials are determining optimal dosing and duration to balance effectiveness against side effects like light sensitivity.
Specialty contact lenses
Multifocal soft lenses and orthokeratology lenses (worn overnight to reshape the cornea) both slow myopia worsening in children. Studies compare how well each works and which children benefit most.
Outdoor time
Large studies link more time outdoors with slower myopia progression and lower myopia rates. Researchers are testing whether structured outdoor programs can meaningfully reduce myopia in school-age children.
What to know before you search
Pediatric trials typically enroll children ages 6 to 12 with progressive myopia, while adult surgical studies require stable vision for at least one year.
What types of trials are currently open
- Atropine trials — Testing different concentrations of atropine eye drops in children to find the dose that best slows myopia with fewest side effects.
- Contact lens trials — Studies of multifocal soft lenses or overnight orthokeratology lenses to slow myopia progression in children and teens.
- Behavioral trials — Testing whether increased outdoor time, reduced screen time, or changes in lighting slow myopia worsening.
- Surgical studies — Refining LASIK, PRK, and lens implant procedures for adults, including long-term safety and visual outcomes.
- Natural history studies — Following children to understand which factors predict rapid myopia progression and who benefits most from treatment.
Recently added Myopia trials
Inhibition of Myopia Progression With Optical Devices
This observational study aims to determine whether optical devices designed to slow myopia progression and/or environmental factors can prevent myopia progression in the pediatric and adolescent myopic population. The study aims to answer the following questions: 1. How does myopia progression change with age while wearing myopia progression control glasses? 2. How does myopia progression change while wearing myopia progression-control glasses when environmental factors, such as time spent outdoors and place of residence, are taken into account? 3. How does myopia progression change at different ages while wearing myopia progression control glasses given a family history of myopia? This will be a self-controlled observational study. Participants who are myopic after cycloplegic refraction will be prescribed DIMS glasses. DIMS stands for "defocus incorporated multiple segments," a specialized optical technology used in spectacle lenses to slow nearsightedness progression in children. Patients will keep a diary of their subjective symptoms and environmental factors, e.g., time spent outdoors and screen time. Patients will visit the clinic once every six months for checkups and the following tests: * Best corrected visual acuity test * Stereopsis * Automatic refractometry * Bulbar axial length measurement In a follow-up study, researchers will compare myopia progression with environmental and baseline factors to learn about the long-term effects of DIMS lenses on myopia progression.
Share eye measurements to help develop a prediction model
This study presents a machine learning model that predicts cycloplegic refraction in adults with myopia using standard non-cycloplegic eye measurements, aiming to reduce the need for cycloplegic drops while still identifying patients who require them.
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