Publication:

Clinical study of effect of low dose atropine drops on progression of myopia in children

Background As an eye condition, myopia is prevalent and often confusing. In modern times, a higher risk of many eye illnesses is linked to myopia, even at modest levels. Improving eye health and quality of life may be possible by halting the development of myopia.

Methods It was a prospective, experimental study, designed to look at the effect of 0.01% atropine eye drop on myopia progression, conducted in outpatient tertiary medical centre, total 66 patients were enrolled. Inclusion criteria include having age of ≥6 years and ≤15 years with myopia or myopic astigmatism and whose parents have given consent to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria include children with congenital/developmental delay or systemic diseases, ocular pathology like amblyopia, strabismus, cataract, allergy to atropine were not included.

Results The result showed that the comparison of spherical equivalent between the baseline measurements and the follow-up measurements after the use of low dose atropine drops indicates that a significant correlation is found between the baseline and follow-up of 12 months (p=0.043) and 18 months (p=0.038). The 6-month follow-up comparison does not show statistically significant association.

Conclusions We concluded that the low dose atropine should be considered as one the myopia progression control remedy. Recommendation of carry out further research in the similar population of a longer duration of three years and above to better understand the effect of low dose atropine in myopia progression should be considered.