Efficacy of Atropine 0.01% for the Treatment of Childhood Myopia

PURPOSE

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of atropine 0.01% in slowing myopia progression in European paediatric patients.

METHODS

• Retrospective, medical records review study

RESULTS:

• Medical records of 52 treated and 50 control subjects were analysed. In the atropine group, the mean rate of myopia progression after 12 months of treatment (-0.54 ± 0.61 D) was significantly slower compared with the baseline progression (-1.20 ± 0.64 D; p < 0.0001) and to the progression in the control group (-1.09 ± 0.64; p < 0.0001).
• The responders patients were 41/52 (79%), whereas 11/52 patients (21%) showed a progression > 0.50 D despite treatment.
• The only adverse event was temporary photophobia in five patients (9.6%), severe adverse events were not reported, and none of the patients discontinued the treatment.

CONCLUSION

• Low-dose atropine significantly slowed the rate of myopia progression in European paediatric patients with a favourable safety profile.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

• This study retrospectively assessed the efficacy and safety of atropine 0.01% in slowing the progression of myopia among children.
• As compared with the control group, the rate of myopia progression was significantly slower in the treatment group after 12 months of treatment.
• Low-dose atropine appears to be beneficial in slowing myopia progression.

REFERENCE

Efficacy of Atropine 0.01% for the Treatment of Childhood Myopia in European Patients. Acta Ophthalmol 2019 Jun 13;[EPub Ahead of Print], M Sacchi, M Serafino, E Villani, E Tagliabue, S Luccarelli, F Bonsignore, P Nucci