Clinical trial Recruiting at 18 sites Phase 3 Interventional Ages 5 to 11

Spectacles with special lenslets and low-dose atropine for slowing myopia in kids

Official title: A Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial of Spectacles With Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target (H.A.L.T.) MAX Technology or 0.05% Atropine to Slow Progression of Myopia in Children

Run by Jaeb Center for Health Research · NCT07095894 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests whether nightly 0.05% atropine drops and specially designed glasses with aspherical lenslets can slow myopia progression in children aged 5 to under 12.

More Myopia trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages5 Years to 11 Years
SexAll
Enrollment348 (estimated)
SponsorJaeb Center for Health Research
Academic / other
Locations18 sites (Birmingham, Alabama and 17 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJuly 1, 2026
Main results expectedJuly 1, 2029
Study endsJanuary 1, 2030
Registry record updatedNovember 2, 2026
Trial IDNCT07095894 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Children aged 5 to under 12 years with myopia 0.75D to 6.00D and adequate visual acuity who wear spectacles most of the day.

Probably not a fit

Children outside the specified refractive range, those not meeting adherence criteria, or those with significant astigmatism or anisometropia may not benefit.

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

What this trial studies

This phase 3 trial uses a 2x2 factorial design to evaluate two interventions for pediatric myopia control: nightly 0.05% atropine versus placebo eyedrops, and spectacles with highly aspherical lenslets versus standard lenses. After an initial run-in to confirm adherence, eligible children with myopia between 0.75 and 6.00 diopters will be randomized to one of four treatment combinations. The study aims to determine safety and efficacy in reducing myopia progression during the peak eye-growth years. Key outcomes include refractive error changes and visual acuity over time, with enrollment across multiple U.S. sites.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approaches could slow myopia progression and reduce the risk of high myopia-related complications later in childhood.

How similar studies have gone: Earlier trials outside the US have shown promise with low-concentration atropine and specialized lenses, but results have been inconsistent, making this larger, controlled study important.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 5 years to \<12 years at time of enrollment. Children within 4 weeks of their 12th birthday are not eligible.
2. Refractive error meeting the following by cycloplegic autorefraction:

   * Myopia of 0.75D to 6.00D SER and at least 0.75D in both principal meridians of each eye
   * Astigmatism \<2.50D both eyes
   * Anisometropia \<1.50D SER
3. Investigator has confirmed the following regarding best-corrected distance visual acuity (VA) in habitual spectacles or trial frames using the investigator's preferred VA testing method:

   * VA is age normal in both eyes1,2
   * 5-6 years: approximately 20/32 or better, ≤ 0.24 logMAR, ≥ 73 letters
   * 7-12 years: approximately 20/25 or better, ≤ 0.14 logMAR, ≥ 78 letters
   * Interocular difference ≤2 logMAR lines (0.2 logMAR) or ≤ 10 letters
4. Wearing spectacles by parent report ≥90% of waking hours ≥30 days duration before enrollment. For children who meet all other inclusion criteria but whose single-vision spectacles are broken or lost within the last 90 days, enrollment can proceed as long as the child was wearing their single-vision spectacles ≥90% of waking hours ≥30 days before the spectacles were broken or lost.
5. Gestational age ≥ 32 weeks.
6. Birth weight \>1500 g.
7. Parent(s) and assenting child understand the study procedures and are willing to accept randomization to atropine 0.05%, HAL lenses, atropine combined with HAL lenses, or placebo (i.e., neither active treatment).
8. Parent is willing to participate in a 2- to 4-week run-in phase using nightly artificial tear eyedrops in both eyes.
9. Family can return in 2 to 4 weeks for possible randomization.
10. Child is willing to refrain from contact lenses for the duration of the study.
11. Parent has a phone (or access to a phone) and is willing to be contacted by the clinical site staff.
12. Relocation outside of the area of an active PEDIG site within the next 32 months is not anticipated.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current or previous pharmacologic or light therapy used for myopia treatment.
2. Current or prior contact lens wear more than 7 days in the past 12 months
3. Current or previous use of bifocals, progressive-addition lenses, multi-focal contact lenses, or focus- or contrast-modifying spectacle lenses.
4. Current or previous use of orthokeratology, rigid gas permeable, or other contact lenses used to slow myopia progression.
5. Current or previous myopia control treatment or other uses of atropine, pirenzepine or other anti-muscarinic agents.
6. Known atropine allergy
7. Known allergy to shellfish
8. Abnormality of the cornea, lens, central retina, iris, or ciliary body
9. Current constant or intermittent strabismus (phorias are acceptable)
10. Verified history of amblyopia or nystagmus.
11. Prior strabismus, intraocular, or refractive surgery
12. Down syndrome or cerebral palsy
13. Diseases known to affect accommodation, vergence, or ocular motility (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Graves' disease, myasthenia gravis, diabetes mellitus)
14. Any condition that, in the judgment of the investigator, could influence refractive error development.
15. Existing conditions in the opinion of the investigator that may affect the long-term health of the eye or require regular pharmacologic treatment that may adversely interact with study medication (e.g., JIA, glaucoma, pre-diabetes).
16. Inability to comprehend and/or perform any study-related procedures.
17. Individuals who are pregnant, lactating, or intending to become pregnant within the next 30 months.

    a. A negative urine pregnancy test at randomization and the 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month follow-up visits will be required for individuals who have experienced menarche (at least one menstrual cycle).
18. Immediate family member (spouse, biological or legal guardian, child, sibling, parent) who is investigative site personnel directly affiliated with this study or who is an employee of the Jaeb Center for Health Research.
19. Sibling of, or living in the same household as, another child who is concurrently enrolled in the study.

Where it's running

  • UAB Pediatric Eye Care; Birmingham Health Care
    Birmingham, Alabama, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Arizona
    Tucson, Arizona, United States
    Recruiting
  • Marshall B. Ketchum University
    Fullerton, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Stanford University
    Palo Alto, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
    Chicago, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Illinois College of Optometry
    Chicago, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
Show 12 more locations
  • Boston Children's Hospital Waltham
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States
    Recruiting
  • Corewell Health
    Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting
  • Duke University Eye Center
    Durham, North Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Pediatric Ophthalmology Associates, Inc.
    Columbus, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • Ohio State University College of Optometry
    Columbus, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • Casey Eye Institute
    Portland, Oregon, United States
    Recruiting
  • Conestoga Eye
    Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus at Drexel University
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center - Vanderbilt Eye Institute
    Nashville, Tennessee, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Houston - College of Optometry
    Houston, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Rocky Mountain Eye Care Associates
    Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
    Recruiting
  • Virginia Pediatric Eye Center
    Norfolk, Virginia, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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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.