Effect of Atropine 0.01% Eye Drops on the Difference in Refraction and Axial Length Between Right and Left Eye

This study sought to determine whether the application of 0.01% atropine eye drops could impact the disparity in refraction and axial length (AL) between the right and left eyes in Chinese children. Methods: The study was designed as a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. A total of 220 children aged 6-12 years were recruited from the Beijing Tongren Hospital in Beijing, China. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio and were prescribed 0.01% atropine or placebo eye drops to be administered once a night to both eyes for the duration of one year. The cycloplegic refraction and AL was recorded including baseline, 6 months, and again at the twelve months. Results: After one-year follow-up period, 76 (69%) and 83 (75%) subjects of the initial 220 participants were identified as the 0.01% atropine and placebo groups, respectively. The inter-ocular difference in spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and AL demonstrated stable values in the 0.01% atropine treatment group (SER: p=0.590; AL: p=0.322) analyzed after one-year, but found a significant increase (SER: p
Source: Ophthalmic Research - Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research