Low-Dose Atropine Effective in Treating Childhood Myopia

After studies in Asia showed efficacy of using low-dose atropine for treating childhood myopia, a new study in Acta Ophthalmologica examined its efficacy in European pediatric patients.

The retrospective review examined the medical charts of pediatric patients with a myopia progression >0.5 D/year treated with atropine 0.01% for at least 1 year (n = 52). Participants received a complete ophthalmic examination before and 12 months after treatment. A group of myopic untreated children served as the control group (n = 50). Researchers evaluated the rate of myopia progression at baseline and 12 months after treatment, and then compared with the control group.

After 12 months, the mean rate of myopia progression was significantly slower than at baseline (−1.20 ± 0.64 D; p < 0.0001) and compared to the control group (−1.09 ± 0.64; p < 0.0001). A total of 41 participants (79%) responded to treatment, whereas 11 participants (21%) showed progression.

Results concluded low-dose atropine significantly slowed the rate of myopia progression in European pediatric patients.

Reference:

Sacchi M, Serafino M, Villani E, et al. Efficacy of atropine 0.01% for the treatment of childhood myopia in European patients [published online ahead of print June 2019]. Acta Ophthalmol. doi: 10.1111/aos.14166.