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CHAMP study

CHAMP-UK logo

CHAMP UK (Childhood Atropine for Myopia Progression in the United Kingdom)

Why is this study important?

Myopia is a condition that causes poor vision when looking at distant objects such as the board in school. This is generally due to the eye growing too long. Myopia tends to occur during childhood and becomes more severe until late teenage years or mid 20s.

Myopia can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or surgery but higher amounts of myopia are linked with developing sight threatening eye conditions in adulthood. There is evidence that treatment with atropine eye drops is effective to control myopia in Chinese children; but there is limited evidence from UK children and those of white race on how effective atropine will be to prevent myopia progression.

What is the aim of the study?

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low dose atropine (0.01%) eye drops to reduce progression of myopia in UK children.

What the Study involves:

The study involves five visits (one at the beginning of the study and then every six months) to the University Eye Clinic at Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge) over a two-year period. At the initial visit, eligible children will receive a prescription for eye drops which need to be instilled into each eye every day for a period of two years.

Children will be randomly assigned to receive either the active atropine drops, or a placebo drop. Twice as many children will have atropine than placebo (2:1 allocation).

Several units in the UK are involved in this study (Belfast, Glasgow, Birmingham, Cambridge and London).

PPI Involvement:

Views from parents of children with myopia have informed the design of the study and two parents sit as lay members on the steering committee.

Who can take part in the Study?

Children aged 6-12 years not wearing myopia control contact lenses are eligible to take part in this study.

Contact Information:

If you would like more information on the study, please contact:

Optometrist Research Assistant: Gaynor Kirk: [email protected] Tel: 0845 196 2695

Principal Investigator: Prof Peter Allen: [email protected]