Growing research on myopia control lacks standardized outcome measures

A large-scale review of 599 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on interventions to slow myopia progression found significant variation in how outcomes are measured and reported.

The analysis, which searched 7 major databases up to September 2023, included both Chinese and English publications. Most studies were published in China (nearly 80%), with a sharp increase in output since 2005. Commonly reported outcomes were refraction (65%), visual acuity (53%), axial length (47%), and response rate (38%). Refraction and axial length were more consistently measured in longer trials and in studies evaluating contact lenses or spectacles.

Although the growing body of research reflects heightened global attention on myopia, the review noted a lack of standardized outcome measures across trials. The authors emphasized the need for unified criteria to improve comparability and strengthen the evidence base for clinical decision-making.

Reference
Xu Y, Chen N, Zhang F, et al. Outcomes in randomized controlled trials on slowing myopia: A systematic review. J Optom. 2025;100562. doi: 10.1016/j.optom.2025.100562. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40889963.