Ann Optom Contact Lens.  2024 Sep;23(3):114-119. 10.52725/aocl.2024.23.3.114.

Effects of Low-Dose Atropine over 1 Year on Myopia Progression in Elementary School Children

• Kang E
• Ha SG
• Kim S
• Suh Y
• Kim SH

• KMID: 2559366
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.52725/aocl.2024.23.3.114

Abstract

Purpose
To compare the myopic progression between pateints only wearing glasses (Myopia group) and patients using low-dose atropine with glasses (Atropine group) for 1 years or more.
Methods
Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Low-dose atropine (atropine sulfate 0.125%) and artificial tear eyedrops (sodium hyaluronate 0.1%) were applied immediately afterwards to both eyes daily to the Atropine group. All children regularly visited our clinic for measurement of refractive power, axial length, near-point accomodation, pupil diameter, symptoms (glare, near-work disturbance, headache, allergic reaction, dryness) were recorded.
Results
A total of 240 patients were included. Atropine was prescribed for 138 patients, the Atropine group, and the remaining 102 patients constituted the Myopia group, and were observed for 20.3 ± 7.8 months. In the initial visit, the mean refractive power was -4.2 ± 1.4 diopters (D) for the Myopia group, -4.8 ± 1.9 D for the Atropine group, and the mean axial length was 24.5 ± 0.6 mm for the Myopia group, 25.1 ± 0.9 mm for the Atropine group. During follow up, in the Myopia group, mean refractive power changed -0.10 ± 0.12 D/month, and mean axial length changed 0.06 ± 0.01 mm/month. In the Atropine group, mean refractive power changed -0.03 ± 0.04 D/month, and mean axial length changed 0.02 ± 0.02 mm/month. The pupil size of the Atropine group was 6.1 ± 0.8 mm, with 30 patients presenting symptoms.
Conclusions
Refractive power progression and axial length elongation was significantly lesser in the Atropine group than the Myopic group. Pupil diameter increased in the Atropine group, and 21% of the Atropine group complained of symptoms. Using low-dose atropine for more than 1 year was effective to suppress refractive power progression and axial length elongation.

Keyword

Atropine; Children; Korea; Myopia