NEW HOPE(SZ:000876) Cai Fu Zai Xian·2025-04-28 09:28Core Viewpoint - Myopia among adolescents has become a global public health issue, with over 50% prevalence in China, necessitating new intervention methods beyond existing treatments like low-concentration atropine eye drops [1][2]. Group 1: Current Challenges in Myopia Prevention - Low-concentration atropine effectively delays myopia progression by approximately 60% but only controls axial length growth by about 30%, indicating a significant limitation [2]. - The dual effects of atropine include measurement bias due to its dilation effect and a compensatory response that may lead to pathological elongation of the eyeball [2]. Group 2: Discovery of Crocetin - A groundbreaking study from Japan identified Crocetin as a potent activator of EGR-1, a key transcription factor in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation, which may intervene in myopia progression [3]. - In a mouse model, Crocetin significantly reduced axial length growth compared to the control group [5]. Group 3: Clinical Trials and Efficacy - A clinical study involving 67 children aged 6-12 showed that daily oral administration of 7.5mg Crocetin for six months resulted in a significant increase in choroidal thickness compared to the control group [8][10]. - The increase in choroidal thickness is crucial as it improves retinal metabolic conditions and inhibits scleral hypoxic expansion [10]. Group 4: Mechanisms of Action - Crocetin's effects may be attributed to multiple pathways, including EGR-1 activation, antioxidant stress response, and improved choroidal blood flow [11][13]. - Both spherical equivalent refraction and axial length measurements showed significant improvement in the Crocetin group compared to controls [12]. Group 5: Advantages and Future Prospects - Crocetin offers several advantages over traditional drugs, including its natural origin, safety for long-term use, and multi-target action addressing both axial length and refractive error [14]. - Ongoing multi-center clinical trials in China aim to validate the efficacy of different doses of Crocetin for children, with potential complementary use alongside low-concentration atropine [14]. - The development of precise drug delivery systems, such as nano-sustained release eye drops, may position Crocetin as a key player in altering the course of myopia [15].