Closing the Critical Innovation Gap in Pediatric Progressive Myopia

Pediatric progressive myopia (PPM) is the leading cause of vision loss in children, with risks that extend far beyond the need for glasses, which address symptoms but do not treat the underlying disease. Yet treatment options remain limited — especially for younger children. At Sydnexis, we are focusing on a critical gap in care. We aim to advance innovation that can not only help preserve vision in growing eyes but may offer a new path forward for children and their families.
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Closing the Critical Innovation Gap in Pediatric Progressive Myopia

Pediatric progressive myopia (PPM) is the leading cause of vision loss in children, with risks that extend far beyond the need for glasses, which address symptoms but do not treat the underlying disease. Yet treatment options remain limited — especially for younger children. At Sydnexis, we are focusing on a critical gap in care. We aim to advance innovation that can not only help preserve vision in growing eyes but may offer a new path forward for children and their families.

Learn More

Pediatric Progressive Myopia: Reaching Epidemic Levels

1 in 3 children are myopic, and by 2050, this number is projected to grow to 1 in 2 kids globally.

Source: NAEM Myopia Report

Beyond the increasing incidence, the severity of myopia is increasing at an alarming rate.

Source: British Journal of Ophthalmology

Myopia progression increases the risk of irreversible eye diseases like myopic macular degeneration and retinal detachment, especially as refractive error worsens in childhood.

Source: Flitcroft DI et al. IMI – Defining and Classifying Myopia. IOVS. 2019;60(3):M20–M30. doi:10.1167/iovs.18-25957

Myopia has a strong hereditary component. Children with one myopic parent are significantly more likely to develop myopia, and the risk rises even further if both parents are nearsighted.

Source: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parents are highly motivated to prevent myopia progression. Surveys show that most parents of children at risk—or already myopic—are concerned about progression and actively seek out control strategies.
Source: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Beyond genetics, environmental and behavioral factors – such as increased screen time and low levels of outdoor activity – are also contributing to rising rates of pediatric myopia.

Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11991542/

Children with myopia suffer from anxiety, mental health challenges, obesity, and lower quality of life at higher rates than children without myopia.

Source:

  1. American Academy of Ophthalmology; 2022.05.020; p.1152-1170 Impact of Vision Impairment and Ocular Morbidity and Their Treatment on Depression and Anxiety in Children
  2. British Journal of Ophthalmology; 2000; 84: 1031-1034
  3. PLOS ONE; March 25, 2022; journal.pone.0265317 Obesity and High Myopia In Children and Adolescents
  4. Obesity (Silver Spring); 2022 Aug;30(8):1691-1698. doi: 10.1002/oby.23482

Yet, halting myopia progression remains challenging. Here’s how we’re working to change that.

We Lead with Science to Protect Children’s Vision

Current interventions for pediatric progressive myopia focus primarily on refractive correction using glasses, which help manage symptoms but do nothing to address the underlying disease progression. While certain specialty contact lens designs have demonstrated efficacy in controlling progression, they are not suitable for younger children. Our work at Sydnexis is aimed at addressing this gap by advancing a pharmaceutical approach intended to slow myopia progression at an early age, with the long-term goal of protecting childhood sight for life.

Explore Our Pipeline

We Lead with Science to Protect Children’s Vision

Current interventions for pediatric progressive myopia focus primarily on refractive correction using glasses, which help manage symptoms but do nothing to address the underlying disease progression. While certain specialty contact lens designs have demonstrated efficacy in controlling progression, they are not suitable for younger children. Our work at Sydnexis is aimed at addressing this gap by advancing a pharmaceutical approach intended to slow myopia progression at an early age, with the long-term goal of protecting childhood sight for life.

Explore Our Pipeline

A Landmark Study Supporting the Future of Pediatric Progressive Myopia

We are developing an investigational low-dose atropine eye drop, engineered specifically for growing eyes. It is being studied in children as young as 3 as a potential pharmaceutical treatment for pediatric progressive myopia. Our landmark STAR study — the largest and most comprehensive of its kind — has generated rigorous long-term data that may help establish a safe, consistent solution to one of the most urgent unmet needs in pediatric ophthalmology.
Learn more about the STAR study

Milestones and Media

Sydnexis Announces New Data from Phase 3 STAR Trial of SYD-101 Presented at 2026 AAPOS Annual Meeting

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Sydnexis Announces UK Approval of Ryjunea® by Partner Santen to Slow Progression of Childhood Myopia

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Sydnexis Announces Topline Pivotal Data from Phase 3 STAR Trial of SYD-101 for Patients with Pediatric Progressive Myopia Presented at AMCP Nexus 2025

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Diopters lost in childhood can shape a lifetime. At Sydnexis, we’re working to change the course of myopia for generations to come.

Help Shape the Future of Pediatric Vision Care
Get updates on clinical milestones, regulatory progress, and product availability. Be the first to learn more about our work and the progression of pediatric myopia.

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