Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2025
Binocular Dynamic Visual Acuity in Eyeglass-Corrected Myopic Patients
Published on: March 29, 2022
The effect of atropine 0.01% eyedrops on relative peripheral refraction in myopic children
Jiaxin Tian1, Shifei Wei1, Shiming Li1
1Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Capital Medical University, 100730, Beijing, China.
Insights
Low-dose atropine 0.01% eyedrops reduced relative hyperopia in the temporal retina of myopic children. This finding suggests atropine eyedrops may help control myopia progression.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry
- Pediatric Eye Care
Background:
- Relative peripheral refraction (RPR) plays a key role in myopia development.
- Understanding RPR is crucial for developing effective myopia control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of 0.01% atropine eyedrops on RPR in children.
- To determine if atropine's effect on RPR contributes to myopia control.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blinded, cross-over trial involving 73 children.
- Participants received either placebo or 0.01% atropine eyedrops sequentially.
- Central and peripheral refractions were measured under non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic conditions.
Main Results:
- 0.01% atropine eyedrops eliminated relative hyperopia in the temporal retina under non-cycloplegia.
- The control group exhibited significant relative hyperopia in temporal and nasal retina.
- Atropine treatment did not significantly alter central refractions or temporal RPR after cycloplegia.
Conclusions:
- Atropine 0.01% eyedrops can reduce temporal retinal hyperopia and pre-cycloplegia hyperopic shift in myopic children.
- These effects indicate a potential role for atropine in myopia management.
Background:
Relative peripheral refraction (RPR) is a significant factor that participates in myopic development. Here, we evaluated the effects of atropine 0.01% eyedrops, as an antimyopia drug, on RPR.
Methods:
Seventy-three children were enrolled from a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-0.01% atropine eyedrops cross-over trial. The study group had used the placebo for one year and then crossed over to atropine 0.01% eyedrops for half a year. The control group had used 0.01% atropine for one year and then crossed over to placebo eyedrops for half a year. Central and horizontal peripheral refractions (15° and 30° at the temporal and nasal retina) were measured under non-cycloplegia and cycloplegia.
Results:
No significant differences in age, gender, and central refraction were identified between the two groups (P > 0.05). Under non-cycloplegia, the control group showed significant relative hyperopia in the temporal 30° retina and the nasal retina (P = 0.031; P < 0.001; P < 0.001). In the study group, the relative hyperopia in the temporal 30° retina disappeared (P = 0.983). After cycloplegia, the control group had less myopia in central refractions and less hyperopia in temporal RPR (P < 0.001; P = 0.039; P < 0.001). The study group did not present significant changes in central refractions and temporal RPR (P = 0.122; P = 0.222; P = 0.475).
Conclusions:
For myopic children, atropine 0.01% eyedrops can alleviate relative hyperopia in the temporal retina and the hyperopic shift before cycloplegia. The effect might participate in myopia control.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
01:16Focusing of Light in the Eye
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
01:11Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses