Myopia: Efficacy of 1% Atropine in Retarding Progression

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of 1% atropine eye drops in control of myopia progression. Methods: This was a Case control study, conducted at the Mohsin Family Health Clinic, Block-16, Federal B Area, Karachi, during January 2018 to December 2019. A total of 194 (97 cases and 97 controls) cases were included in the study by the calculation of online software openepi.com. The Treatment Group was given 1% atropine eye drops while Control Group received no treatment. The follow-up of all the cases was carried out according to the follow-up schedule for a total period of one year. All the demographic data, clinical findings and the follow-up results were recorded on a proforma designed for the study, and the results were tabulated. Results: A total of 194 children age 6-15 with best corrected visual acuity 6/6 were recruited in this study. Half of the children were included in treatment group who received once a day application of 1% atropine eye drops at bedtime. The other half received no treatment and were taken as control group. Mean spherical equivalent refraction (SER) at baseline was 2.93±0.69 of Treatment Group and 2.98±0.61 of control group with insignificant P-value of 0.461. After 1-year treatment statistically significant difference with P-value 0.001, was observed with SER 3.37±0.91 in Treatment Group and 3.69±0.94 in control group. Conclusion: Atropine 1% eye drops is well tolerated and is found efficacious in controlling myopia progression.