Understanding the 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-10679002 · 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, as researchers will check their vision and eye health every six months for three years to learn more about how myopia starts.
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 | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $299,877 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY030518-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10679002 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are at either high or low risk of developing myopia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are outside the age range of 0-11 years or those who do not have a risk of developing 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 evaluate their retinal image quality and visual processing capabilities, helping to uncover the mechanisms behind myopia onset.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective prevention strategies for myopia in children, potentially reducing the prevalence of this condition.
How similar studies have gone: Previous 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
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PICNIC: Factors inside the eye linked to childhood near-sightedness
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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.