Abstract
Purpose :
To investigate the efficacy and safety of 0.1% and 0.01% low dose atropine eye drops for reduction of myopia progression (as defined by spherical equivalent refraction and axial length) in Danish children.
Methods :
97 six- to twelve-year old myopic participants were randomized to 0.1% loading dose for six months followed by 0.01% for 6 months (0.1% loading dose group), 0.01% for 12 months (0.01% group) or vehicle for 12 months (placebo). Ocular parameters were measured at three-month intervals, including: axial length by optical biometry (IOLMaster 700, Carl Zeiss AG, Oberkochen, Germany), spherical equivalent refraction by autorefraction (Right group, Retinomax K-plus 3, Tokyo, Japan), pupil diameter by pupillometry (DP-2000 Pupillometer, NeurOptics, CA, USA), accommodation amplitude using a Royal Air Force near point ruler using best-corrected distance spectacles, and adverse events. Data were analyzed according to intention-to-treat method via the Rstudio statistical software.
Results :
Mean axial length elongation had progressed 0.10mm (95% CI: 0.17; 0.02, P = 0.02, adjusted-P = 0.06) and 0.07mm (95% CI: 0.15; 0.00, P = 0.06, adjusted-P = 0.16) less in the 0.1% loading dose and 0.01% group at twelve months compared to placebo, respectively. Mean SER was -3.40D (95% CI: -3.86; -2.95) and -3.45D (95% CI: -3.90; -2.99) in the 0.1% loading dose and 0.01% groups at twelve months, compared to -3.64D (95% CI: -4.10; -3.18) in the placebo group (P = 0.02, adjusted-P = 0.06 and P = 0.05, adjusted-P = 0.14, respectively). Few side effects were reported, mainly in the 0.1% loading dose group. Mesopic and photopic pupil diameter was increased in both intervention groups at 12 months compared to placebo (adjusted-P < 0.05).
Conclusions :
Low dose atropine eye drops reduced myopia progression by up to 37% after one year of treatment in Danish children. Low dose atropine eye drops appears safe and moderately effective in reducing myopia progression in Danish children.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.