Low-Concentration Atropine Eye Drops for Myopia Progression

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Ophthalmology
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a growing global health concern, particularly in children.
• Atropine eye drops have emerged as a potential therapeutic intervention for slowing myopia progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent clinical trials on atropine eye drops for myopia control.
• To understand the efficacy and safety of various atropine concentrations in managing myopia progression.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of all randomized clinical trials investigating atropine eye drops for myopia progression.
• Analysis of studies evaluating different concentrations, including high (1%) and low (0.01%-0.05%) doses.

Main Results:

• High-concentration atropine (1%) showed efficacy but was limited by side effects.
• Low-concentration atropine, particularly 0.05% in the LAMP study, demonstrated optimal efficacy and safety, with a concentration-dependent response.
• The ATOM 2 and LAMP studies provided crucial data on optimal concentrations and placebo-controlled evidence.

Conclusions:

• Low-concentration atropine eye drops are an effective treatment for myopia control.
• The 0.05% concentration appears to be the most effective and safest option.
• Further research is needed on rebound effects and long-term individualized treatment strategies.