Low-concentration atropine (0.01%) on quantitative contrast sensitivity function in Chinese children with myopia
Yu-Hao Ye1,2,3,4, Yi-Yong Xian1,2,3,4, Fang Liu1,2,3,4
1Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China.
Insights
Low-concentration atropine (LA) eye drops may improve contrast vision in children with early myopia. This study found better contrast sensitivity function (qCSF) in children using 0.01% LA compared to a control group.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Optometry
- Myopia Management
Background:
- Myopia is a growing public health concern in children.
- Contrast sensitivity is crucial for visual function and quality of life.
- Current myopia control strategies primarily focus on refractive error reduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of 0.01% low-concentration atropine (LA) on quantitative contrast sensitivity function (qCSF) in pediatric myopia.
- To compare qCSF parameters between children using daily LA and a control group.
- To identify potential benefits of LA beyond refractive correction.
Main Methods:
- A paired case-control study involving 90 eyes from 58 children with myopia.
- Participants were matched for sex, age, and refractive error.
- One group received daily 0.01% LA for 6 months; the control group was treatment-naïve.
- Monocular and binocular qCSF tests were conducted without refractive correction.
Main Results:
- The 0.01% LA group demonstrated significantly higher contrast sensitivity function (CSF) acuity compared to the control group (monocularly and binocularly).
- Subgroup analyses revealed improved CSF acuity in younger children (6-9 years) and enhanced contrast sensitivity at high spatial frequencies (12.0 and 18.0 cpd) in females, and those with low sphere or high cylinder refractive errors.
- Binocularly, CSF acuity and contrast sensitivity at 12.0 cpd were significantly better in the LA group.
Conclusions:
- Daily use of 0.01% low-concentration atropine may lead to improved contrast sensitivity in children with early-onset myopia.
- LA demonstrates potential benefits for visual function beyond its refractive effects.
- Further research is warranted to explore the long-term implications of LA on visual performance in pediatric myopia.
Aim:
To investigate the effect of 0.01% low-concentration atropine (LA) on quantitative contrast sensitivity function (qCSF) in children with myopia.
Methods:
This paired case-control study included 90 eyes of 58 children who were sex-, age-, and refraction-matched and equally divided into two groups: the 0.01% LA group had undergone 6mo use of daily 0.01% atropine and control group was naïve to LA. Routine ophthalmic examinations and qCSF test without refractive correction were performed. Two groups were compared in monocular and binocular qCSF parameters, including the area under logCSF, CSF acuity, and contrast sensitivity (CS) at 1.0-18.0 cycle per degree (cpd).
Results:
In the monocular comparison, the CSF acuity of the LA group was significantly higher than that of the control group (7.58±5.51 vs 6.37±4.22 cpd, P<0.05). The subgroup analysis showed that in the 6-9y group, CSF acuity was significantly higher in the LA group than the control group (8.76±6.19 vs 6.54±4.25 cpd, P<0.05), and in the Female group, low refraction sphere group, and high refraction cylinder group, the CS at high spatial frequencies (12.0 and 18.0 cpd) were significantly higher in the LA group than in the control group (all P<0.05). In the binocular test, CSF acuity and CS at 12.0 cpd were significantly higher in the LA group than in the control group (10.95±7.00 vs 8.65±5.12 cpd; 0.17±0.33 vs 0.06±0.16, respectively; both P<0.05).
Conclusion:
Use of LA may result in improved CS in children with early onset myopia.
