Investigation of Natural Refractive Changes in Young Hyperopic Children Using Atropine Cycloplegic Refraction
Toru Kawanobe1, Toshiaki Goseki1,2,3, Shinya Takahashi1
1Ophthalmology, Kozawa Eye Hospital and Diabetes Center, Mito, JPN.
Insights
Refractive error changes in young children using atropine sulfate eye drops were evaluated. A significant hyperopic shift was observed, suggesting initial underestimation in a majority of cases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Optometry
Background:
- Atropine sulfate eye drops are used to manage refractive errors in children.
- Understanding refractive error changes post-atropine is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate refractive error changes in young children after using atropine sulfate eye drops.
- To compare refractive error changes between myopic and hyperopic groups.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 153 eyes from patients under 12 years old.
- Analysis of objective refractive error changes between two cycloplegic refractions within 18 months.
- Comparison of refractive errors in myopic and hyperopic groups.
Main Results:
- Overall refractive error change was 0.21±0.61 diopters.
- The hyperopic group (67% of eyes) showed a mean change of +0.49±0.46 D.
- The myopic group (33% of eyes) showed a mean change of -0.45±0.34 D.
Conclusions:
- Refractive error changes trended towards hyperopic shifts.
- In 67% of cases, initial refractive error may have been underestimated.
- Findings highlight the importance of serial refractions in children using atropine.
Aim:
This retrospective study evaluated refractive error changes following atropine sulfate eye drop use in young children.
Methods:
Patients under 12 years of age who underwent their first atropine refraction between 2001 and 2021 were included in this study. The objective refractive error changes in children who underwent a second cycloplegic refraction with the same atropine concentration within 18 months of the first refraction were assessed. Refractive errors were compared between patients with myopic (myopic group) and hyperopic (hyperopic group) changes.
Results:
Among the 153 eyes that received two refractive examinations, the refractive error changed by 0.21±0.61 diopters (D). The mean refractive error changes were -0.45±0.34 D and 0.49±0.46 D for the myopic (50 eyes, 33%) and hyperopic (103 eyes, 67%) groups, respectively. The mean refractive errors of the initial refractions were 5.42±2.95 D and 4.18±2.68 D for the myopic and hyperopic groups, respectively (p<0.01).
Conclusion:
The refractive error changes between the first and second examinations were hyperopic, and in 67% of cases, the refractive error was possibly underestimated during the first examination.
