CBT-009

Myopia, also known as near-sightedness, can develop and progress in children and adolescents. Myopia is believed to be caused by an increase in eye length or by a change in corneal curvature, which directs light from distant objects to focus in front of the retina leading to blurred long-distance vision. Myopia with a refractive error of 0.50 to -6.00 diopters is considered to be low to moderate in severity, while myopia exceeding -6.00 diopters is considered higher in severity. Progressive myopia can also be due to an increase in the axial length of the eyeball, which heightens the risk for retinal degenerative changes and permanent vision loss.  Myopia is a leading cause of correctable vision loss with a potential for complications that can lead to blindness. If treated early, there is a potential for preventing myopia-associated complications.

Atropine is the only pharmacological treatment option that has been demonstrated to be consistently effective in slowing myopic progression. Currently, aqueous atropine eye drops are used in some countries to treat patients with myopia, but their shelf life is limited. Furthermore, aqueous atropine eye drops are unstable and easily decompose into belladonna, tropinic acid, or other substances that greatly affect the efficacy and safety of these eye drops. 

As a non-aqueous atropine eye drop, CBT-009 differs from aqueous atropine by having higher stability, being preservative-free, and having higher bioavailability.