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Safety and Efficacy of Low Dose Atropine in Nepalese Children with Progressive Myopia
Srijana Adhikari1, Namrata Gupta, Birendra Mahat
1Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, Gaushala, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Insights
Low dose atropine effectively slowed myopia progression in Nepalese children. This safe treatment showed no significant side effects, offering a promising solution for childhood myopia.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Myopia is a growing global public health concern.
- Low-dose atropine is recognized for its safety and efficacy in controlling myopia progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and effectiveness of low-dose atropine in Nepalese children experiencing progressive myopia.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, non-randomized interventional study involving 200 children.
- Participants received 0.01% atropine eye drops daily for two years.
- Evaluations included axial length, refractive error, and ocular health assessments.
Main Results:
- Low-dose atropine demonstrated efficacy in halting myopia progression over two years.
- Average axial length increase was minimal (0.17-0.19 mm).
- No ocular or systemic side effects were reported in the study cohort.
Conclusions:
- Topical low-dose atropine is a safe and effective treatment for progressive myopia in Nepalese children.
- Further research, including randomized controlled trials with varying atropine doses, is recommended.
Introduction:
Myopia is emerging as a public health emergency worldwide. Low dose atropine has been proven to be safe and efficacious in halting the progression of myopia.
Objectives:
Aim of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of low dose atropine in Nepalese children with progressive myopia.
Materials And Methods:
It is a prospective non randomized interventional study. Children with myopia progression of >0.5D in the last six months with baseline myopia of -1.5 to -8 Diopter and astigmatism of 3 D or less were prescribed 0.01% atropine daily at bedtime for two years. Demography including age, gender, race, and examinations including anterior and posterior segment, axial length, near point of accommodation and near vision were recorded in all the children. Ocular and systemic side effects were documented.
Results:
A total of 200 children were enrolled in the study. Mean age was 11.9±2.97 years with 41% female. Baseline mean axial length was 24.47±1 and mean spherical equivalent was 3.69±1.33. Average increase in axial length was 0.18(±0.02), 0.17(±0.02), and 0.19(±0.04) mm in six months, one year, and two years respectively. The increase in spherical equivalence was 0.2 (±0.01), 0.3(±0.02), and 0.3(±0.02)) diopter in six months, one year, and two years respectively. The myopia progression was found more in the Mongolian race compared to the Aryan race. No ocular or systemic side effects were documented.
Conclusion:
Topical low dose atropine appears to be safe and efficacious in halting the progression of myopia in a cohort of Nepalese children. Further randomized control trial on various doses of atropine are recommended.
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