Understanding factors that lead to myopia in children
Official title: Longitudinal evaluation of optical and neural factors leading to juvenile myopia
Funded at New England College of Optometry · NIH-11064165 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the quality of what kids see and how their brains process those images might affect the development of nearsightedness (myopia) in children, and it’s for young kids who are at different risks for myopia; over three years, we’ll check in with them every six months to learn more about their vision and help find ways to prevent myopia in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New England College of Optometry NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $156,900 |
| NIH project number | 3R01EY030518-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11064165 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are either at high risk or low risk for developing myopia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are outside the age range of 0-11 years or who do not fall into the high or low-risk categories for myopia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how optical image quality and visual processing contribute to the development of myopia in children. By measuring these factors in young children at high and low risk for myopia over a three-year period, the study aims to identify critical elements that influence eye growth and vision. Children will undergo assessments every six months to track changes and gather data on their visual experiences. The goal is to inform future prevention strategies for myopia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective prevention programs for myopia in children, potentially reducing the prevalence of this condition.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding myopia development through similar longitudinal approaches, indicating potential for success in this study.
Where this research is happening
-
New England College of Optometry
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vera-Diaz, Fuensanta Ascension — New England College of Optometry
- Study coordinator: Vera-Diaz, Fuensanta Ascension
Related research
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Topical eyedrops to slow myopia progression in children
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Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma for High Myopia
A study to improve early detection of open-angle glaucoma in people with high myopia using advanced eye imaging.
-
PICNIC: Factors inside the eye linked to childhood near-sightedness
Researchers are studying how eye structure and vision in young children may predict who will develop myopia, aiming to understand why some kids become nearsighted.
-
Peripheral vision factors behind kids’ nearsightedness
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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.