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Using low-dose atropine in control of intermittent exotropia
Farzaneh Dehghanian Nasrabadi1, Ali Mirzajani1, Mostafa Soltan Sanjari2
1Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Optometry, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Low-dose atropine eye drops effectively control intermittent exotropia in children, showing similar results to overminus lenses. This makes 0.05% atropine a viable alternative treatment option for managing this condition.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Strabismus Management
Background:
- Intermittent exotropia requires effective non-surgical management strategies.
- Identifying treatments with minimal risk and side effects is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of 0.05% atropine eye drops for controlling intermittent exotropia in children.
- To compare the effectiveness of low-dose atropine with overminus lenses.
Main Methods:
- A randomized clinical trial involving children aged 2-8 years with intermittent exotropia.
- Participants were assigned to either 0.05% atropine or overminus lenses for 3 months.
- Deviation control was assessed using 3-point and 6-point scales.
Main Results:
- Both 0.05% atropine and overminus lenses significantly improved deviation control at 1 and 3 months post-intervention.
- Improvements in distance and near deviation control were observed in both groups over the 3-month period.
- Low-dose atropine demonstrated significant improvements in near deviation control at 3 months compared to 1 month.
Conclusions:
- 0.05% atropine eye drops are effective in controlling intermittent exotropia in children.
- Low-dose atropine shows comparable effectiveness to overminus lenses.
- Atropine presents a potentially efficient alternative treatment for intermittent exotropia.
Clinical Relevance:
There are a variety of non-surgical methods to control and correct intermittent exotropia. Identifying the effectiveness of an alternative method that carries minimal risk and ocular symptoms can guide clinicians in optimising patient care.
Background:
The aim of this work is to evaluate the efficacy of 0.05% atropine eye drops on exotropia control in children with intermittent exotropia.
Methods:
This parallel-group, controlled, randomised clinical trial was conducted on children aged 2-8 years with intermittent exotropia who had been admitted at the Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Clinic of Rasoul Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the low dose (0.05%) atropine or overminus lens groups and followed for 3 months. Deviation control was evaluated using 3-point and 6-point control scales.
Results:
A total of 21 participants in each group (mean (SD) age, 5.1 (2.34) years; 14 males [33.3%]) were included in this study. According to both 3- and 6-point control scales, deviation control 1 and 3 months after the intervention was significantly better than before in each group (p < 0.05). According to the 3-point control scale, in the low-dose atropine group, the distance deviation control at 3 months was significantly improved than at 1 month (p = 0.031). According to the 6-point control scale, distance and near deviation controls at 3 months were significantly improved than at 1 month in the overminus lens group (p = 0.005 and p = 0.005, respectively). In the low-dose atropine group, near deviation control at 3 months was significantly better than at 1 month (p = 0.007).
Conclusion:
Low dose atropine appears to have the same level of effectiveness as overminus lenses, and induces good control in intermittent exotropia. Therefore, it may be an efficient alternative to overminus lenses.
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