The adenosine antagonist 7-methylxanthine (7-mx) works against myopia in animal models. In a clinical trial, 68 myopic children
(mean age 11.3 years) received either placebo or 7-mx tablets for 12 months. All participants subsequently received 7-mx for
another 12 months, after which treatment was stopped. Axial length was measured with Zeiss IOL-Master and cycloplegic refraction
with Nikon Retinomax at −6, 0, 12, 24, and 36 months. Axial growth was reduced among children treated with 7-mx for 24 months
compared with those only treated for the last 12 months. Myopia progression and axial eye growth slowed down in periods with
7-mx treatment, but when the treatment was stopped, both myopia progression and axial eye growth continued with invariable
speed. The results indicate that 7-mx reduces eye elongation and myopia progression in childhood myopia. The treatment is
safe and without side effects and may be continued until 18–20 years of age when myopia progression normally stops.
Keywords 7-methylxanthine - Adenosine receptor antagonist - Myopia - Clinical trial
Trial registration: ClinicalTrial.gov. Registration number NCT00263471. www.clinicaltrials.gov.