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Research that advances vision

Selected studies in ophthalmology – carefully summarised and backed by the original source. For anyone who wants to understand how diagnostics and treatment are evolving.

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Current studies: What research shows

Each card summarises a peer-reviewed original paper. One click opens the study design, key results and the link to the source.

MyopiaChildren
2023

Low-dose atropine slows myopia progression in children

A three-year phase 3 trial in 576 children tested preservative-free atropine eye drops (0.01% and 0.02%) against placebo. The lower dose showed an effect across all three main endpoints.
−0.13 mmless axial elongation after 36 months (atropine 0.01% versus placebo)
JAMA Ophthalmology · Randomised phase 3 trial
Retina
2022

Faricimab in neovascular AMD: longer intervals between injections

Two large phase 3 trials with 1,329 patients compared the bispecific antibody faricimab (up to every 16 weeks) with aflibercept (every 8 weeks).
16 weekspossible treatment interval with faricimab, with a visual gain comparable to aflibercept (every 8 weeks)
The Lancet · Two phase 3 trials (non-inferiority)
RetinaTechnology
2017

Gene therapy for inherited retinal dystrophy (RPE65)

Voretigene neparvovec replaces a defective gene directly in the retina. The phase 3 trial showed a marked improvement of vision in dim light after one year.
65 %of treated participants passed the mobility test already at 1 lux (control group: 0%)
The Lancet · Randomised phase 3 trial (open-label)
Children
2016

Amblyopia: binocular iPad game or patching?

A large trial in 385 children compared a binocular tablet game with the classic patching of the better eye. Both approaches improved visual acuity – patching somewhat more.
22.2 %of children completed more than 75% of the prescribed game time – adherence was the sticking point
JAMA Ophthalmology · Randomised non-inferiority trial
MyopiaChildren
2015

More time outdoors helps prevent myopia in schoolchildren

In Guangzhou, first-graders received 40 minutes of additional outdoor activity every school day. After three years, the rate of new-onset myopia was lower.
−9.1 %absolute reduction in the 3-year incidence of myopia (30.4% versus 39.5%)
JAMA · Cluster-randomised trial
Cornea
2014

Corneal cross-linking stabilises keratoconus

Cross-linking with riboflavin and UVA light strengthens the cornea. The randomised trial showed stabilisation after three years, while untreated eyes continued to progress.
−1.03 Dflattening of the steepest corneal value (Kmax) after 36 months with cross-linking – in untreated eyes it rose by 1.75 D
Ophthalmology · Randomised controlled trial, 3 years

Our approach: Carefully selected, transparently referenced

Peer-reviewed original papers

We consider only studies published in scientific journals with peer review – preferably randomised controlled trials.

Every statement has a source

Figures and statements come from the respective publication. Authors, journal, year, DOI and PubMed entry are linked so you can verify them yourself.

Context rather than promises

Study results apply to the populations studied and do not replace individual advice. Not every procedure is approved in Switzerland or available at our practice.

Research and verification of the references: October 2026 (PubMed). The summaries are faithful paraphrases of the original publications; the original text remains authoritative.

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Low-dose atropine slows myopia progression in children

A three-year phase 3 trial in 576 children tested preservative-free atropine eye drops (0.01% and 0.02%) against placebo. The lower dose showed an effect across all three main endpoints.

Randomised phase 3 trialJAMA Ophthalmology · 2023PMID 37261839

Study design

Double-masked, placebo-controlled trial at 26 sites in North America and 5 European countries. 576 children and adolescents (aged 3–16 years) with myopia of −0.50 to −6.00 diopters received placebo, atropine 0.01% or atropine 0.02% eye drops once daily for 36 months. Mean comparisons were based on the 6–10-year-old group (489 children).

Key results

  • Atropine 0.01%: significantly more eyes with low progression (less than 0.50 diopters over 36 months; odds ratio 4.54; 95% confidence interval 1.15–17.97).
  • Myopia progressed by 0.24 diopters less on average, and axial length grew 0.13 mm less than with placebo (both p < 0.001).
  • Atropine 0.02%: the prespecified primary endpoint (proportion of responders) was not reached significantly; axial elongation was 0.08 mm lower.
  • Safety: there were no serious ocular adverse events; a few serious non-ocular events were not judged to be associated with atropine.

Authors' conclusion

According to the authors, atropine 0.01% showed efficacy across all three main endpoints; low-dose atropine may be a treatment option for myopia progression in childhood.

Original publication
Zadnik K, Schulman E, Flitcroft I, Fogt JS, Blumenfeld LC, Fong TM, et al. Efficacy and Safety of 0.01% and 0.02% Atropine for the Treatment of Pediatric Myopia Progression Over 3 Years: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2023;141(10):990-999. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2023.2097
DOIPubMed

Faricimab in neovascular AMD: longer intervals between injections

Two large phase 3 trials with 1,329 patients compared the bispecific antibody faricimab (up to every 16 weeks) with aflibercept (every 8 weeks).

Two phase 3 trials (non-inferiority)The Lancet · 2022PMID 35085502

Study design

TENAYA and LUCERNE: two randomised, double-masked non-inferiority trials at 271 sites worldwide. Treatment-naive patients aged 50 years or older with neovascular age-related macular degeneration received intravitreal faricimab 6.0 mg at intervals of up to 16 weeks (adjusted to disease activity) or aflibercept 2.0 mg every 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was the mean change in best-corrected visual acuity averaged over weeks 40, 44 and 48.

Key results

  • The visual gain with faricimab was non-inferior to aflibercept: TENAYA +5.8 versus +5.1 letters, LUCERNE +6.6 versus +6.6 letters.
  • Ocular adverse events were comparable between the groups (TENAYA 36.3% versus 38.1%; LUCERNE 40.2% versus 36.2%).
  • Faricimab inhibits two signalling pathways at once: angiopoietin-2 and VEGF-A.

Authors' conclusion

The authors see in the possible 16-week interval the potential to meaningfully reduce treatment burden in neovascular AMD while sustaining efficacy.

Funding of the trials: F. Hoffmann-La Roche.
Original publication
Heier JS, Khanani AM, Quezada Ruiz C, Basu K, Ferrone PJ, Brittain C, et al. Efficacy, durability, and safety of intravitreal faricimab up to every 16 weeks for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (TENAYA and LUCERNE): two randomised, double-masked, phase 3, non-inferiority trials. Lancet. 2022;399(10326):729-740. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00010-1
DOIPubMed

Gene therapy for inherited retinal dystrophy (RPE65)

Voretigene neparvovec replaces a defective gene directly in the retina. The phase 3 trial showed a marked improvement of vision in dim light after one year.

Randomised phase 3 trial (open-label)The Lancet · 2017PMID 28712537

Study design

Open-label, randomised controlled phase 3 trial at two sites in the USA. 31 individuals aged 3 years or older with confirmed biallelic RPE65 mutations (visual acuity 20/60 or worse and/or visual field below 20°) were randomly assigned 2:1 to treatment or control; 29 were analysed. Treatment consisted of bilateral subretinal injection of 1.5 × 10¹¹ vector genomes. The primary endpoint was the change in mobility performance at defined light levels (MLMT) after one year.

Key results

  • The mean improvement was 1.8 light levels in the treatment group versus 0.2 in the control group (difference 1.6; 95% confidence interval 0.72–2.41; p = 0.0013).
  • 13 of 20 treated participants (65%), but none in the control group, passed the test at the lowest light level tested, 1 lux.
  • Safety: no product-related serious adverse events and no deleterious immune responses; most ocular events were mild.
  • Limitation: small trial with an open-label design.

Authors' conclusion

Gene replacement improved functional vision in RPE65-mediated inherited retinal dystrophy that was previously medically untreatable.

Funding of the trial: Spark Therapeutics.
Original publication
Russell S, Bennett J, Wellman JA, Chung DC, Yu ZF, Tillman A, et al. Efficacy and safety of voretigene neparvovec (AAV2-hRPE65v2) in patients with RPE65-mediated inherited retinal dystrophy: a randomised, controlled, open-label, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2017;390(10097):849-860. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31868-8
DOIPubMed

Amblyopia: binocular iPad game or patching?

A large trial in 385 children compared a binocular tablet game with the classic patching of the better eye. Both approaches improved visual acuity – patching somewhat more.

Randomised non-inferiority trialJAMA Ophthalmology · 2016PMID 27812703

Study design

Multicentre non-inferiority trial in 385 children (aged 5 to under 13 years) with amblyopia due to strabismus and/or anisometropia (visual acuity 20/40 to 20/200). For 16 weeks they received either a binocular iPad game (1 hour daily) or patching of the fellow eye (2 hours daily). The outcome was the change in visual acuity of the amblyopic eye.

Key results

  • Improvement in visual acuity after 16 weeks: 1.05 lines (game) versus 1.35 lines (patching); a difference of 0.31 lines in favour of patching.
  • Non-inferiority could not be shown (upper limit of the confidence interval 0.53 lines against a prespecified limit of 0.5).
  • Only 22.2% of children with available log data (39 of 176) completed more than 75% of the prescribed game time.
  • In children aged 5 to under 7 years without prior treatment, visual acuity improved by 2.5 (game) and 2.8 lines (patching). Adverse effects such as double vision were uncommon.

Authors' conclusion

Visual acuity improved with both treatments, particularly in younger children without prior treatment; in a post hoc analysis, however, the improvement with this binocular game was smaller than with two hours of patching per day.

Original publication
Holmes JM, Manh VM, Lazar EL, Beck RW, Birch EE, Kraker RT, et al. Effect of a Binocular iPad Game vs Part-time Patching in Children Aged 5 to 12 Years With Amblyopia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2016;134(12):1391-1400. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2016.4262
DOIPubMed

More time outdoors helps prevent myopia in schoolchildren

In Guangzhou, first-graders received 40 minutes of additional outdoor activity every school day. After three years, the rate of new-onset myopia was lower.

Cluster-randomised trialJAMA · 2015PMID 26372583

Study design

Cluster-randomised trial in 12 primary schools in Guangzhou (China) with 1,903 first-grade children (mean age 6.6 years). In the 6 intervention schools, an additional 40-minute outdoor class was added to each school day; parents were encouraged to engage children in outdoor activities after school. The 6 control schools continued their usual routine. The primary outcome was the 3-year cumulative incidence of myopia (−0.5 diopters or worse) among children not myopic at baseline.

Key results

  • Incidence of myopia: 30.4% (intervention) versus 39.5% (control); difference −9.1% (95% confidence interval −14.1% to −4.1%; p < 0.001).
  • The change in spherical equivalent was smaller: −1.42 versus −1.59 diopters (difference 0.17 diopters; p = 0.04).
  • Axial length growth did not differ significantly (0.95 versus 0.98 mm; p = 0.07).

Authors' conclusion

An additional 40 minutes of outdoor activity reduced the myopia rate among six-year-olds over the following three years. The authors stress that long-term follow-up and generalisability still need to be studied.

Original publication
He M, Xiang F, Zeng Y, Mai J, Chen Q, Zhang J, et al. Effect of Time Spent Outdoors at School on the Development of Myopia Among Children in China: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2015;314(11):1142-8. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.10803
DOIPubMed

Corneal cross-linking stabilises keratoconus

Cross-linking with riboflavin and UVA light strengthens the cornea. The randomised trial showed stabilisation after three years, while untreated eyes continued to progress.

Randomised controlled trial, 3 yearsOphthalmology · 2014PMID 24393351

Study design

Prospective, randomised controlled trial in 100 eyes with progressive keratoconus (treatment versus control). Cross-linking: riboflavin 0.1% with 20% dextran for 15 minutes before and during 30 minutes of UVA irradiation (3 mW/cm²). Follow-up at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months; the primary outcome was the maximum simulated keratometry value (Kmax). After 36 months, 46 treated and 48 control eyes were analysed.

Key results

  • In control eyes, Kmax increased by a mean of 1.75 diopters after 36 months, whereas in treated eyes it decreased by 1.03 diopters (both p < 0.001).
  • In the treatment group, uncorrected (−0.15 logMAR) and best-corrected visual acuity (−0.09 logMAR) improved; in the control group, cylinder increased.
  • 2 eyes had minor complications that did not affect final visual acuity.

Authors' conclusion

At 36 months, there was a sustained improvement in Kmax and visual acuity after cross-linking, whereas control eyes continued to progress.

Original publication
Wittig-Silva C, Chan E, Islam FM, Wu T, Whiting M, Snibson GR. A randomized, controlled trial of corneal collagen cross-linking in progressive keratoconus: three-year results. Ophthalmology. 2014;121(4):812-21. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2013.10.028
DOIPubMed
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