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Published on: January 22, 2019
Effect of low-dose atropine on myopia progression, pupil diameter and accommodative amplitude: low-dose atropine and
Aicun Fu1, Fiona Stapleton2, Li Wei3
1Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Insights
Low-dose atropine eye drops effectively slow myopia progression in children. While 0.02% atropine showed a greater effect than 0.01%, both concentrations similarly impacted pupil size and accommodation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a growing public health concern in children.
- Pharmacological interventions, such as low-dose atropine eye drops, are being investigated to control myopia progression.
- Understanding the efficacy and side effects of different atropine concentrations is crucial for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of 0.01% and 0.02% atropine eye drops in managing myopia progression in children.
- To assess the impact of these atropine concentrations on pupil diameter and accommodative amplitude.
- To evaluate the safety and tolerability of low-dose atropine treatment.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 400 myopic children was conducted.
- Participants were randomized into three groups: 0.02% atropine (n=138), 0.01% atropine (n=142), and a control group (n=120).
- Measurements of refractive error, axial length, pupil diameter, and accommodative amplitude were taken at baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 months.
Main Results:
- After 12 months, both 0.02% and 0.01% atropine groups showed significantly reduced myopia progression (SER and AL changes) compared to the control group (p<0.001).
- The 0.02% atropine group exhibited a slightly greater reduction in myopia progression than the 0.01% group.
- Both atropine groups experienced significant increases in pupil diameter and decreases in accommodative amplitude, with no significant difference between the two concentrations (p>0.05).
Conclusions:
- 0.02% atropine eye drops demonstrate a superior effect on myopia progression compared to 0.01% atropine.
- Both 0.01% and 0.02% atropine eye drops have comparable effects on pupil diameter and accommodative amplitude.
- Low-dose atropine is an effective treatment for myopia control in children, with dose-dependent efficacy on refractive error progression.
Purpose:
To evaluate the effects of 0.01% and 0.02% atropine eye drops on myopia progression, pupil diameter and accommodative amplitude in myopic children.
Methods:
A cohort study assessed 400 myopic children divided into three groups: 138 and 142 children were randomised to use either 0.02% or 0.01% atropine eye drops, respectively. They wore single-vision (SV) spectacles, with one drop of atropine eye drop applied to both eyes once nightly. Control children (n=120) only wore SV spectacles. Repeated measurements of spherical equivalent refractive errors (SERs), axial length (AL), pupil diameter and accommodative amplitude were performed at baseline, and 4, 8 and 12 months after treatment.
Results:
After 12 months, the SER change was -0.38±0.35D, -0.47±0.45D, -0.70±0.60D and AL change was 0.30±0.21 mm, 0.37±0.22 mm, 0.46±0.35 mm in the 0.02%, 0.01% atropine and control groups, respectively. There were significant differences in the change in AL and SER between three groups (all p<0.001). Between baseline and the 12-month visit, the overall change in accommodative amplitude was 1.50±0.25D, 1.61±0.31D and change in pupil diameter was 0.78±0.42 mm, 0.69±0.39 mm, with 0.02% and 0.01% atropine, respectively. Accommodative amplitude significantly decreased and pupil diameter significantly increased in two atropine groups (all p<0.001). Moreover, there was no statistical difference in the change difference in accommodative amplitude and pupil diameter between two atropine groups (p=0.24, p=0.38), whereas the accommodative amplitude (p=0.45) and pupil diameter (p=0.39) in the control group remained stable.
Conclusions:
0.02% atropine eye drops had a better effect on myopia progression than 0.01% atropine, but 0.02% and 0.01% atropine showed similar effects on pupil diameter and accommodative amplitude after 12 months of treatment.
Trial Registration Number:
ChiCTR-IPD-16008844.
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