Effects of Low-Dose Atropine over 1 Year on Myopia Progression in Elementary School Children
10.52725/aocl.2024.23.3.114
- Author:
Eunseok KANG
1
;
Suk Gyu HA
;
Soo KIM
;
Youngwoo SUH
;
Seung-Hyun KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:
Annals of Optometry and Contact Lens
2024;23(3):114-119
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
