Delaying the onset of nearsightedness in children with atropine eye drops
Official title: Delaying onset of nearsightedness trial Chairs grant
Funded at University of Houston · NIH-11386977 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-center study will test whether daily low-dose atropine eye drops can delay myopia onset in children most at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $421,981 |
| NIH project number | 5UG1EY037201-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11386977 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children at highest risk of developing myopia, identified by age and eye growth patterns, may be eligible.
✕Less likely to help
Children who are not at high risk or who do not develop myopia during the study are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests a simple eye drop treatment given to kids at highest risk of becoming nearsighted, to see if it postpones when myopia starts. It will enroll participants across multiple centers in the US and run for two years. The approach uses a low-concentration atropine drop applied daily and follows children closely to track when myopia begins and how their vision develops. Results could guide new pediatric eye-care practices to reduce long-term vision problems in at-risk children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, children may begin adulthood with less severe myopia and fewer eye complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in Asia suggested atropine can delay myopia onset, but results in the US population have been less consistent.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berntsen, David a — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Berntsen, David a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.