Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2025
Scleral Cross-linking Using Riboflavin and Ultraviolet-A Radiation for Prevention of Axial Myopia in a Rabbit Model
Published on: April 3, 2016
Effect of Atropine 0.01% Eye Drops on the Difference in Refraction and Axial Length between Right and Left Eyes
Xintong Liang1, Shifei Wei1, Shi-Ming Li1
1Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing, China.
Insights
Low-dose atropine eye drops (0.01%) effectively stabilized refractive error and axial length differences between eyes in children. This myopia control treatment was more effective in eyes with greater myopia.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Myopia Control
Background:
- Myopia is a growing public health concern in children.
- Inter-eye differences in refractive error and axial length can occur.
- Effective myopia control strategies are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of 0.01% atropine eye drops on inter-eye refractive and axial length disparities in Chinese children.
- To assess the efficacy of low-dose atropine in managing myopia progression.
Main Methods:
- A 1-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial.
- 220 children (aged 6-12 years) received either 0.01% atropine or placebo eye drops nightly.
- Cycloplegic refraction and axial length were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.
Main Results:
- 0.01% atropine maintained stable inter-eye differences in spherical equivalent refraction and axial length.
- The placebo group showed a significant increase in inter-eye differences.
- Myopia progression was slower in more myopic eyes treated with atropine compared to less myopic eyes.
Conclusions:
- 0.01% atropine eye drops are effective in stabilizing inter-eye refractive and axial length differences.
- Low-dose atropine demonstrates a differential effect, slowing myopia progression more in eyes with higher myopia.
Introduction:
This study sought to determine whether the application of 0.01% atropine eye drops could impact the disparity in refraction and axial length (AL) between the right and left eyes in Chinese children.
Methods:
The study was designed as a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. A total of 220 children aged 6-12 years were recruited from the Beijing Tongren Hospital in Beijing, China. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio and were prescribed 0.01% atropine or placebo eye drops to be administered once a night to both eyes for the duration of 1 year. The cycloplegic refraction and AL were recorded including baseline, 6 months, and again at the 12 months.
Results:
After 1-year follow-up period, 76 (69%) and 83 (75%) subjects of the initial 220 participants were identified as the 0.01% atropine and placebo groups, respectively. The inter-ocular difference in spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and AL demonstrated stable values in the 0.01% atropine treatment group (SER: p = 0.590; AL: p = 0.322) analyzed after 1 year, but found a significant increase (SER: p < 0.001; AL: p = 0.001) in the placebo group. Furthermore, over 1 year, eyes with greater myopia in the atropine group exhibited slower myopia progression (0.45 ± 0.44 D) than the lesser myopic eye (0.56 ± 0.44 D) (p = 0.003).
Conclusion:
This study demonstrated that 0.01% atropine could maintain the inter-ocular SER and AL difference. And 0.01% atropine appeared to be more effective in delaying the progression of myopia in eyes with more myopia than in the less myopic eyes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:16Focusing of Light in the Eye
02:24Properties of Enantiomers and Optical Activity
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...