Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Inducement and Evaluation of a Murine Model of Experimental Myopia
07:20

Inducement and Evaluation of a Murine Model of Experimental Myopia

Published on: January 22, 2019

Prevention of myopia onset with 0.025% atropine in premyopic children

Po-Chiung Fang1, Mei-Yung Chung, Hun-Ju Yu

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung County, Taiwan, Republic of China.

Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics : the Official Journal of the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|August 12, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Low-dose atropine eye drops effectively prevent myopia onset and slow myopic shift in premyopic children. This 0.025% atropine treatment offers a significant protective effect against myopia progression over one year.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatric Ophthalmology
  • Myopia Control

Background:

  • Myopia is a growing public health concern, particularly in children.
  • Early intervention is crucial to prevent high myopia and associated ocular complications.
  • Premyopia, a refractive state before myopia onset, is a key target for preventative strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the efficacy of 0.025% atropine eye drops in preventing myopia onset.
  • To evaluate the impact of 0.025% atropine on reducing myopic shift in premyopic children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study involving 6- to 12-year-old premyopic children (spherical equivalent <+1 D).
  • Comparison between children receiving nightly 0.025% atropine eye drops and a control group receiving no treatment.
  • Follow-up duration of at least 12 months, with fast myopic shift defined as >-0.5 D per year.

Main Results:

  • The 0.025% atropine group showed a significantly lower mean myopic shift (-0.14 D/year) compared to the control group (-0.58 D/year).
  • Atropine treatment was the sole independent variable preventing myopia shift in regression analysis.
  • Myopia onset occurred in 21% of the atropine group versus 54% in the control group (P=0.016).
  • Fast myopic shift was significantly reduced in the atropine group (8% vs. 58%, P=0.0002).
  • No significant differences in photophobia or near-blurred vision were reported between groups.

Conclusions:

  • Regular use of 0.025% atropine eye drops is effective in preventing myopia onset in premyopic children.
  • Topical 0.025% atropine significantly reduces myopic shift over a one-year period.
  • This low-dose atropine regimen appears safe and well-tolerated for myopia prevention in schoolchildren.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Scleral Cross-linking Using Riboflavin and Ultraviolet-A Radiation for Prevention of Axial Myopia in a Rabbit Model05:56

Scleral Cross-linking Using Riboflavin and Ultraviolet-A Radiation for Prevention of Axial Myopia in a Rabbit Model

Published on: April 3, 2016

Press Needle: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Myopia Patients with Dry Eye05:26

Press Needle: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Myopia Patients with Dry Eye

Published on: April 12, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment01:27

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment

In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment01:28

Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment

Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems01:23

Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems

Ophthalmic drug delivery faces major limitations due to poor absorption across the corneal membrane. This process is primarily driven by diffusion and is influenced by two main factors: the physicochemical properties of the drug and tear drainage. Most ophthalmic drugs, such as pilocarpine, epinephrine, atropine, and local anesthetics, are weak bases. They are typically formulated at an acidic pH to enhance chemical stability. However, this leads to high ionization, reducing their ability to...
Focusing of Light in the Eye01:16

Focusing of Light in the Eye

Light rays enter the eye through the cornea, a transparent dome-shaped tissue that is the eye's outermost layer. The cornea bends or refracts, light rays traveling to the pupil. The shape of the cornea determines how much of the light is bent and whether the image will be focused correctly on the retina at the back of the eye. Once the light has passed through both refraction layers, it converges into a single focal point onto a small area. This is where photoreceptors start transforming...