How eye focusing and multifocal lenses affect myopia in kids
Official title: Interplay between multifocal optics and accommodation: implications for myopia progression
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-11336325 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how how an eye’s focusing and multifocal lenses work together to influence myopia progression in children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $487,761 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY035009-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11336325 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 0-11 years with myopia who are candidates for multifocal contact lenses or related interventions.
✕Less likely to help
Children not recommended for multifocal contact lenses or whose myopia progression is unlikely to be influenced by lens accommodations may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the way a child’s eye focuses light interacts with multifocal contact lenses to influence myopia growth. By understanding these interactions, doctors may be able to tailor lens designs to better slow progression in kids. The study combines clinical observations with measurements of how accommodation and eye growth relate to retinal image quality. Families with myopic children could learn about new options to manage progression and protect long-term vision.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to more effective lens-based strategies to slow myopia progression in children.
How similar studies have gone: Early trials with multifocal lenses show reduced myopia progression, but the interaction with accommodation needs further clarification.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marcos, Susana — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Marcos, Susana
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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.