Atropine, 0.01%, for Myopia Control

Slowing the progression of myopia, rather than simply treating the symptoms of blurred distance vision, has only recently gained wide popularity among clinicians, despite being studied for decades. Atropine, 1%, eye drops have long been available for cycloplegia and was the original dose studied for myopia control, but more recently, much lower concentrations have been investigated to slow myopia progression while minimizing rebound effects (loss of accrued benefit after discontinuing treatment) and adverse effects such as photophobia and near blur. Four of 6 randomized myopia control studies comparing atropine, 0.01%, with placebo reported significant slowing of myopia progression, but only 3 of the 6 reported significant slowing of eye growth. Repka et al reported the first randomized clinical trial conducted in the US, to our knowledge, and they showed no slowing of myopia progression or eye growth with nightly administration of atropine, 0.01%, eye drops.
Source: JAMA Ophthalmology - Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research