Abstract
PurposeTo investigate the clinical efficacy of 0.01% atropine in slowing the progression of myopia in children and to evaluate the influence of 0.01% atropine on secretion of basal tear and stability of tear film.MethodsEighty children aged 5–14 years with myopia, 40 were randomly divided into two groups consisting of those who received spectacles in addition to 0.01% atropine (SA group) and those who received only spectacles (S group). The remaining 40 children who were wearing orthokeratology (OK) lenses for 3 months were randomly divided into two groups comprising those who received OK lenses in addition to 0.01% atropine (OKA group) and those who received only OK lenses (OK group). Comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations, including slit-lamp examination, visual acuity testing, autorefraction, intraocular pressure, axial length (AL), corneal topography, Schirmer’s test, and tear film break-up time (TBuT), were performed before treatment and after every 3 months treatment.ResultsDuring the follow-up visits, evidently better spherical equivalent (SE) control over 3, 6 and 12 months was observed in the SA and OKA groups compared with the S and OK groups. The AL over 3, 6, and 12 months was evidently inhibited in the SA and OKA groups compared with the S and OK groups. No statistically significant differences in Schirmer’s test and TBuT results were observed between the S and SA groups and between the OK and OKA groups. However, statistically significant differences were found in TBuT results between before treatment and after 3 months treatment in the OK group (P < 0.05, paired t test) and the OKA group (P < 0.05, paired t test).Conclusions0.01% atropine can effectively control myopia progression and axial elongation regardless of combined treatment with spectacles or OK lenses. And 0.01% atropine has no evident effect on Schirmer’s test and TBuT results; however, researchers also found that Schirmer’s test and TBuT results showed a tendency to reduce after treatment with 0.01% atropine.
Highlights
Myopia is a refractive error in which the refractive power is too large relative to the axial length of the eye
No statistically significant differences were found between the S and SA groups and between the OK and OKA groups in terms of age, gender, spherical equivalent (SE), axial length (AL), Schirmer’s test, or tear film break-up time (TBuT) results when they started treatment (Table 1)
Children-onset myopia is associated with the development of high myopia, which could result in several pathological complications such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and even blindness [2]
Summary
Myopia is a refractive error in which the refractive power is too large relative to the axial length of the eye. Myopia is a common refractive error in children [1]. Researchers predicted that approximately 50% of the population will be myopic by 2050, almost 1 billion people will exhibit high myopia [3]. Multiple interventional methods, including pharmaceutical and optical treatments, were proposed to slow down myopia progression in children [6]. We still require much experimental data to evaluate the clinical efficacy of 0.01% atropine in controlling myopia and providing guidance for clinical practice. Concerns exist regarding whether accumulation of drug toxicity occurs and whether longterm use of 0.01% atropine would cause dry eyes. Analyzing the influence of 0.01% atropine on tear secretion and stability of tear film is necessary
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