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Optic Disc Parameters of Myopic Children with Atropine Treatment
Li-Wei Chan1, Yi-Ting Hsieh1, Wei-Cherng Hsu1
1a Department of Ophthalmology , Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, The Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation , Taipei , Taiwan.
Insights
Low-dose atropine eye drops effectively control myopia in children without negatively impacting optic nerve health or intraocular pressure. This study confirms 0.25% atropine is a safe treatment option for pediatric myopia.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Optometry
- Myopia Control Research
Background:
- Myopia is a growing public health concern in children.
- Topical atropine is increasingly used for myopia control.
- Long-term effects of low-dose atropine on ocular structures require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of 0.25% topical atropine on optic disc parameters, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), and intraocular pressure (IOP) in myopic children.
- To assess the safety profile of 0.25% atropine for pediatric myopia management.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 35 myopic children (67 eyes) received nightly 0.25% atropine treatment.
- Ocular parameters including visual acuity, refraction, IOP, axial length (AL), RNFLT, and optic disc metrics were measured at baseline and every two months.
- Follow-up duration was at least one year for all participants.
Main Results:
- Myopia progression averaged 0.53D/year and axial length elongation averaged 0.245mm/year during treatment.
- No statistically significant changes were observed in IOP, peripapillary RNFLT, optic disc area, cup, rim, or cup/disc ratio.
- These findings remained consistent throughout the mean 15.2-month follow-up period.
Conclusions:
- 0.25% atropine treatment for myopia control in children did not adversely affect IOP or optic nerve parameters.
- The study supports the safety of 0.25% atropine as a therapeutic option for managing pediatric myopia.
- Continued monitoring is essential, but current data suggest favorable safety outcomes.
Purpose:
To characterize optic disc parameters, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), and the intraocular pressure (IOP) of myopic children under continual topical 0.25% atropine treatment.
Methods:
From October 1, 2010 to September 31, 2011, 67 eyes of 35 myopic children were recruited. The children were treated with 0.25% atropine nightly for myopia control. Visual acuity, refraction, IOP, axial length (AL, IOL Master), RNFLT, and optic disc parameters (Stratus OCT) were measured at enrollment and every 2 months. All patients had at least 1 year of follow-up.
Results:
Enrolled children had a mean age of 10.3 ± 2.4 years (5-15 years). Of the 67 studied eyes, the mean spherical equivalent (SE) was -2.60 ± 1.58 diopters (D) (-6.75--0.5 D). Under the treatment of 0.25% atropine, myopia increased by 0.53 ± 0.10D per year (P < 0.0001), and AL elongated by 0.245 ± 0.042 mm per year (P < 0.0001). No significant change was noted in the IOP and optic nerve parameters including peripapillary RNFLT, areas of optic disc, cup and rim, or cup/disc ratio over the follow-up period during atropine treatment (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
0.25% Atropine treatment for myopia control did not significantly affect the IOP, optic nerve parameters, and RNFLT in children over a mean of 15.2 ± 2.4 months treatment and follow-up. 0.25% Atropine is a relatively safe option for myopia control.
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