VIP plays a significant role in myopia pathogenesis through regulation of ocular growth signaling, offering potential as both a biomarker and therapeutic target for myopia control.
Eye growth peptideVIP regulates signaling pathways controlling eye elongation — the fundamental process underlying myopia development
What the researchers found
VIP is involved in myopia pathogenesis through ocular growth signaling pathways, with potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target for myopia control.
Why it matters
Myopia is becoming epidemic and can lead to blindness. Understanding VIP's role could lead to peptide-based treatments that slow myopic progression.
How the study worked
Review of molecular mechanisms, expression studies, and experimental evidence linking VIP to myopia/ocular growth regulation.
What this study cannot tell us
Mostly preclinical and molecular evidence. Human clinical validation of VIP as myopia biomarker needed. Therapeutic targeting not yet tested.
How to read the evidence
Review of molecular and preclinical evidence. Emerging field with strong mechanistic rationale.
When this study was published
Published in 2025.
The bigger picture
Identifying neuropeptides involved in eye growth opens entirely new therapeutic approaches for myopia beyond current optical interventions (glasses, contacts).
Questions still open
- Could VIP-targeting eye drops slow myopia progression?
- Is VIP measurable in tears as a non-invasive myopia biomarker?
- How does VIP interact with other myopia-related signaling (dopamine, retinoic acid)?
Common questions
What causes myopia?
Could this lead to new myopia treatments?
Read the original research
Myopia pathogenesis and vasoactive intestinal peptide: Molecular mechanisms, experimental models, and clinical implications.
Experimental eye research, 263, 110810
Citation
Grubsic, Camila; Céspedes, Ricardo; Tapia, Felipe; Schmachtenberg, Oliver. (2026). Myopia pathogenesis and vasoactive intestinal peptide: Molecular mechanisms, experimental models, and clinical implications.. Experimental eye research, 263, 110810. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2025.110810