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

Summary

To date, randomized trials of low-concentration atropine eyedrops and specially designed spectacle lenses to slow the progression of myopia are limited in number and results are inconsistent in non-Asian children. Although results of some recent randomized clinical trials outside the US are promising, additional studies in children are needed to test the safety and efficacy of low-concentration atropine and specially designed spectacle lenses as treatments to slow the progression of myopia during the peak years for eye growth. After a run-in phase to demonstrate adherence with nightly eyedrops (artificial tears) and spectacle correction, children 5 to \<12 years old with myopia of 0.75D to 6.00D cycloplegic spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) and at least 0.75D myopia in both principal meridians of each eye will be randomized in a 2x2 factorial design to treatment with 1) nightly 0.05% atropine or placebo eyedrops, and 2) spectacles with highly aspherical lenslet target (H.A.L.T.) MAX technology or single vision spectacles, and followed every six months for 24 months. Change in axial length over 24 months and change in SER over 24 months are the primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. All children will return for a visit at 30 months (after 6 months of no treatment other than single-vision spectacles alone between 24 and 30 months).