Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 2 Interventional Ages 4 to 16

0.01% atropine eye drops to slow eye growth and prescription changes in myopic children

Official title: The Effect of 0.01% Atropine Eye Drops on Axial Length and Refraction in Myopic Children Compared to a Control Group

Run by Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College · NCT07456488 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This will try nightly 0.01% atropine eye drops for six months in children aged 4–16 with myopia to see if it slows axial eye growth and refractive worsening compared with a control group.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages4 Years to 16 Years
SexAll
Enrollment60 (estimated)
SponsorLiaquat National Hospital & Medical College
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Karachi, Sindh)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJuly 13, 2025
Main results expectedApril 17, 2026
Study endsApril 30, 2026
Registry record updatedMarch 6, 2026
Trial IDNCT07456488 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are children aged 4–16 with at least −1.00 D of myopia, astigmatism ≤2.50 D, good corrected visual acuity, no prior atropine or other myopia treatments, and no systemic or ocular conditions that predispose to severe myopia.

Probably not a fit

Children with high astigmatism (≥2.5 D), significant anisometropia (>1 D), prior intraocular surgery, prior atropine use, allergy to atropine, or systemic/syndromic causes of myopia are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This Phase 2 interventional study gives myopic children 0.01% atropine eye drops once nightly for six months and compares axial length and refraction changes to a control group. Eligible participants are children aged 4–16 with at least −1.00 D of spherical equivalent myopia and limited astigmatism, with key ocular and systemic exclusions. Axial length and refractive error will be measured at baseline and follow-up visits to quantify change, and safety/tolerability will be monitored. The study is conducted at a single center with standard ophthalmic measurement protocols.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, nightly low-dose atropine could slow axial elongation and reduce worsening of prescription in children with myopia, potentially lowering future vision problems.

How similar studies have gone: Other clinical studies of low‑dose atropine (including 0.01%) have shown modest slowing of myopia progression with good tolerability, though some later trials suggest higher low doses may achieve greater effect.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Children aged 4-16 years
* Both genders
* Myopia of baseline SER of -1.00D or more
* Astigmatism less than or equal to -2.50D
* No medical history predisposing severe myopia (e.g., Marfan syndrome, Stickler syndrome, and retinopathy of prematurity), abnormal ocular refractive anatomy (e.g., keratoconus, lenticonus, and spherophakia)
* No history of other vision-threatening ocular diseases or previous intraocular surgery.
* No current or previous use of atropine or pirenzipine, contact lenses or other forms of treatment that may affect myopia progression.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Astigmatism ≥ 2.5 D
* Anisometropia\>1 D
* Best corrected visual acuity \< 0.5 (6/12)
* Prior intraocular surgery
* Allergy to atropine eye drops
* Systemic diseases associated with myopia such as Marfan syndrome, Stickler syndrome
* History of cardiac or significant respiratory diseases
* Lack of consent for participating in the study

Where it's running

  • LiaquatNHMC
    Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
    Recruiting

Study contacts

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.