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Research & Evidence

Evidence Library

Every recommendation we make is backed by peer-reviewed research. Explore the clinical studies that inform our guidance on myopia control treatments.

Peer-reviewed studies
Verifiable PubMed links
Parent-friendly summaries

Featured Studies

Landmark research that shapes modern myopia control

RCT2012

Atropine for the Treatment of Childhood Myopia (ATOM 2)

Ophthalmology

Low-dose atropine (0.01%) slows myopia progression by ~50% with minimal side effects.

Why It Matters

This study established that very low doses of atropine can effectively slow myopia with fewer side effects than higher doses, making it a practical option for children.

Atropine
PubMed DOI
RCT2019

Low-Concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP)

Ophthalmology

0.05% atropine showed the best balance of efficacy and tolerability.

Why It Matters

The LAMP study helped refine the optimal atropine concentration, showing that slightly higher doses than ATOM2 may provide better control while still being well-tolerated.

Atropine
PubMed DOI
RCT2019

MiSight 1 day 3-Year Clinical Trial

Optometry and Vision Science

MiSight lenses reduced myopia progression by 59% over 3 years.

Why It Matters

This FDA-approved treatment gives parents a non-pharmaceutical option. Children as young as 8 can safely wear these daily disposable contact lenses.

MiSight
PubMed DOI
Longitudinal2005

Longitudinal Orthokeratology Research in Children (LORIC)

Current Eye Research

Ortho-K slowed axial length growth by 46% compared to glasses.

Why It Matters

One of the first studies to prove that overnight contact lenses do more than correct vision—they actually slow the eye from growing longer.

Ortho-KAxial Length
PubMed DOI
Cohort2008

Outdoor Activity and Myopia in Sydney School Children

Ophthalmology

Children spending 2+ hours outdoors daily had significantly lower myopia rates.

Why It Matters

This landmark study showed that something as simple as outdoor time can help prevent myopia—giving parents an actionable, free intervention.

Outdoor TimeLifestyleRisk Factors
PubMed DOI
Meta-Analysis2016

Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia

Ophthalmology

By 2050, nearly 50% of the world will be myopic, with 10% having high myopia.

Why It Matters

This widely-cited projection explains why myopia is now considered a global public health concern—and why early intervention matters.

Risk Factors
PubMed DOI

All Evidence

27 studies

Review2025PubMed

IMI—Interventions for Controlling Myopia Onset and Progression: 2025 Update

Updated comprehensive review of all myopia control interventions with latest evidence and recommendations.

11 citations
Ortho-KAtropineMiSightSpectacle LensesOutdoor Time
PubMed DOI
Clinical Trial2024PubMed

Six-Year Cumulative Treatment Effect and Treatment Efficacy of Dual-Focus Soft Contact Lenses

Six years of MiSight wear delayed reaching final myopia level by almost 4 years.

21 citations59% efficacy
MiSight
PubMed DOI
RCT2024PubMed

0.01% Atropine Eye Drops in Children With Myopia and Intermittent Exotropia: The AMIXT Randomized Clinical Trial

Atropine is safe and effective in children who have both myopia and intermittent exotropia (eye turning out).

12 citations35% efficacy
Atropine
PubMed DOI
Meta-Analysis2024PubMed

Influence of Outdoor Time on Myopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Each additional hour of daily outdoor time reduces myopia risk by approximately 13%.

35 citations50% efficacy
Outdoor TimeLifestyleRisk Factors
PubMed DOI
RCT2024PubMed

Repeated Low-Level Red Light Therapy for Myopia Control: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Red light therapy combined with Ortho-K showed 70% reduction in axial elongation vs Ortho-K alone.

28 citations70% efficacy
Axial Length
PubMed DOI
Clinical Trial2024PubMed

Five-Year Clinical Trial of the Low-Concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP) Study: Phase 4 Report

Five-year data confirms sustained efficacy and safety of low-dose atropine for myopia control.

42 citations50% efficacy
Atropine
PubMed DOI
Clinical Trial2024PubMed

Clinical Efficacy of MiSight 1 Day Soft Contact Lenses in Korean Myopic Children

MiSight lenses showed 55% reduction in myopia progression in Korean children.

8 citations55% efficacy
MiSight
PubMed DOI
RCT2024PubMed

Effect of 0.01% Atropine Combined with Orthokeratology on Axial Elongation: A 2-Year Randomized Trial

Combining Ortho-K with 0.01% atropine reduced axial elongation by 72% compared to Ortho-K alone.

18 citations72% efficacy
Ortho-KAtropine
PubMed DOI
Meta-Analysis2023Cochrane

Interventions to slow progression of myopia in children

Moderate-certainty evidence supports atropine, Ortho-K, and multifocal lenses for slowing myopia.

180 citations
Ortho-KAtropineMiSightSpectacle Lenses
PubMed DOI
RCT2023PubMed

Effect of Low-Concentration Atropine Eyedrops vs Placebo on Myopia Incidence in Children: The LAMP2 Randomized Clinical Trial

0.05% atropine reduced 2-year myopia incidence by 47% vs placebo in non-myopic children aged 4-9.

213 citations47% efficacy
Atropine
PubMed DOI
RCT2023PubMed

Low-Dose 0.01% Atropine Eye Drops vs Placebo for Myopia Control: A Randomized Clinical Trial

0.01% atropine did NOT significantly slow myopia progression in US children compared to placebo.

130 citations
Atropine
PubMed DOI
Cohort2023PubMed

The Efficacy of DIMS Lenses in Slowing Myopia Progression: Results from Diverse Clinical Circumstances

DIMS spectacle lenses showed consistent efficacy in real-world clinical settings across diverse populations.

81 citations52% efficacy
Spectacle Lenses
PubMed DOI
Review2023PubMed

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Myopia Progression Interventions in Children

0.05% atropine and increased outdoor activity are the most cost-effective myopia control strategies.

45 citations
AtropineOutdoor TimeLifestyle
PubMed DOI
RCT2022PubMed

Highly Aspherical Lenslet (HAL) Spectacles for Myopia Control

HAL spectacles reduced myopia progression by 67% over 2 years.

280 citations67% efficacy
Spectacle Lenses
PubMed DOI
RCT2021PubMed

Combination of Orthokeratology and Atropine

Combining Ortho-K with 0.01% atropine provided better control than either alone.

320 citations65% efficacy
Ortho-KAtropine
PubMed DOI
Review2021PubMed

IMI – Clinical Myopia Control Trials and Instrumentation

Updated clinical guidelines for myopia management.

290 citations
Axial Length
PubMed DOI
RCT2020PubMed

Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) Spectacle Lenses

DIMS lenses slowed myopia progression by 52% and axial elongation by 62%.

450 citations52% efficacy
Spectacle Lenses
PubMed DOI
RCT2019PubMed

Low-Concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP)

0.05% atropine showed the best balance of efficacy and tolerability.

680 citations55% efficacy
Atropine
PubMed DOI
RCT2019PubMed

MiSight 1 day 3-Year Clinical Trial

MiSight lenses reduced myopia progression by 59% over 3 years.

520 citations59% efficacy
MiSight
PubMed DOI
Meta-Analysis2019PubMed

Screen Time and Myopia in Children

Each additional hour of screen time per day increases myopia risk by 3%.

380 citations
Screen TimeRisk FactorsLifestyle
PubMed DOI
Review2019PubMed

IMI – Interventions for Myopia Onset and Progression

Comprehensive review of all evidence-based myopia interventions.

850 citations
Ortho-KAtropineMiSightSpectacle LensesLifestyle
PubMed DOI
Meta-Analysis2016PubMed

Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia

By 2050, nearly 50% of the world will be myopic, with 10% having high myopia.

3,200 citations
Risk Factors
PubMed DOI
Meta-Analysis2015PubMed

Parental Myopia as a Risk Factor

Children with two myopic parents have 6x higher risk of developing myopia.

620 citations
GeneticsRisk Factors
PubMed DOI
RCT2012PubMed

Atropine for the Treatment of Childhood Myopia (ATOM 2)

Low-dose atropine (0.01%) slows myopia progression by ~50% with minimal side effects.

1,250 citations50% efficacy
Atropine
PubMed DOI
RCT2012PubMed

Retardation of Myopia in Orthokeratology (ROMIO)

Ortho-K reduced axial elongation by 43% over 2 years.

720 citations43% efficacy
Ortho-KAxial Length
PubMed DOI
Cohort2008PubMed

Outdoor Activity and Myopia in Sydney School Children

Children spending 2+ hours outdoors daily had significantly lower myopia rates.

1,450 citations
Outdoor TimeLifestyleRisk Factors
PubMed DOI
Longitudinal2005PubMed

Longitudinal Orthokeratology Research in Children (LORIC)

Ortho-K slowed axial length growth by 46% compared to glasses.

890 citations46% efficacy
Ortho-KAxial Length
PubMed DOI

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Now that you've seen the evidence, find a myopia specialist who uses these proven treatments.

Sources: All studies are indexed in PubMed, Cochrane, or Google Scholar and available through their respective journals.

Last reviewed: February 2026 • Content is for educational purposes only

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