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Lower-dose atropine more effective first-line myopia treatment for children
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Researchers conducting a 5-year study that compared the safety and efficacy of different concentrations of atropine eye drops for treating myopia progression in children found that 0.01% drops were more effective in slowing myopia progression with fewer visual side effects compared with higher doses.
In the Ophthalmology study, children received atropine for 24 months, and treatment ceased for 12 months (phase 2). Those with myopia progression during phase 2 restarted therapy with atropine 0.01% for 24 months (phase 3).
Chia and colleagues said that mean annual myopia progression during phase 3 (-0.38 D to -0.52 D) was lower than in the preceding phase 2 period (-0.62 D to -1.09 D) in all atropine groups, but higher in those not requiring retreatment (-0.30 D to -0.38 D). Myopic progression in those who restarted atropine slowed in phase 3.
In phase 1, researchers determined that atropine 0.01% was almost as effective in reducing myopia progression as higher concentrations but with minimal pupil dilation, loss of accommodation and loss of near vision.
Phase 2 found that children receiving lower doses had less myopic progression after atropine stopped, and that 0.01% was most effective in reducing myopia progression at 3 years, the researchers said.
Atropine showed more effectiveness in the second year than the first, they noted.
The researchers concluded that a daily dose of atropine 0.01% is effective for first-line treatment for children 6 to 12 years with documented myopic progression of 0.5 D in the preceding year, with few side effects. – by Abigail Sutton
Disclosure: The researchers reported no relevant financial disclosures.
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