# Spectacle Prescribing in Early Childhood (SPEC)

> **NIH NIH UG1** · UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA · 2020 · $883,886

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The benefits of early spectacle treatment for moderate refractive error in asymptomatic toddlers
are not known. AAPOS spectacle prescribing guidelines for children less than 3 years of age
are based on consensus and clinical experience because “there are no scientifically rigorous
published data for guidance”. The United States Preventive Services Task Force concluded in
2017 that there is insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits of vision screening for
children less than 3 years of age because data on the benefits of spectacle correction for
refractive error in toddlers are lacking. The SPEC Trial addresses these important gaps in the
literature with a focus on assessing the developmental and visual benefits of spectacle
treatment for astigmatism in toddlers, and the factors associated with spectacle treatment
compliance in this age group.
SPEC is a prospective trial to determine if prescribing and providing spectacle correction for
astigmatic toddlers (at 12 to < 24 months or 24 to < 36 months of age) meeting current
consensus based prescribing guidelines result in better developmental and visual outcome
compared to astigmatic children who are prescribed and provided spectacles at age 36 to < 40
months. Developmental outcomes will be measured using the Bayley Scales of Infant and
Toddler Development, 3rd Edition. Visual acuity outcome will be measured using the Amblyopia
Treatment Study HOTV Protocol. Spectacle treatment compliance will be measured using a
wearable sensor attached to the spectacles.
The results of the SPEC Trial will have important implications for screening and treatment of
young astigmatic children. This study will generate evidence to inform parents, pediatricians,
and eye care providers if prescribing spectacles for astigmatic toddlers will have a beneficial
effect on their global development, and will allow clinicians to make evidence-based, rather
than consensus-based, recommendations regarding treatment of astigmatism in toddlers. The
SPEC Trial is also unique in that it includes objective measures of spectacle treatment
compliance, and will provide much needed data on factors associated with spectacle treatment
compliance in toddlers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9932987
- **Project number:** 5UG1EY029657-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
- **Principal Investigator:** Erin M Harvey
- **Activity code:** UG1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $883,886
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-06-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9932987

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9932987, Spectacle Prescribing in Early Childhood (SPEC) (5UG1EY029657-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9932987. Licensed CC0.

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