Safety and efficacy of low-dose topical atropine for slowing down progression of myopia in children and adolescents

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-dose (0.01%) topical atropine eye drops for slowing down the progression of myopia in children and adolescents.Patients and methods A total of 600 eyes of 300 patients aged from 8 to 14 years were included in the study. They were divided into two groups: group A, which included 300 myopic eyes with a spherical equivalent (SE) between −3.00 and −6.00 D that received low-dose (0.01%) topical atropine eye drops once daily for 1 year, and group B as a control group, which consisted of 300 myopic eyes (with SE between −3.00 and −6.00 D) that did not receive the topical atropine eye drops. Posttherapy follow-up for myopia progression was done at 6 months, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 years.Results By the end of 3 years, the mean SE was −5.1±1.75 D in group A in comparison with −6.15±3.15 D in group B. The progression of myopia was significantly more in group B than in group A after 1 year of follow-up and continued with statistically significant difference till the end of the follow-up period. No significant changes in topography or pachymetry were reported in the present study. In addition, no complications related to the low-dose topical atropine drops (0.01%) were reported.Conclusion The use of low-dose (0.01%) topical atropine eye drops was safe and effective in decreasing the progression of myopia in children and adolescents.