Effects of different Frequency Dose of 0.05% Atropine in Retarding the Progression of Myopia in Chinese Children

Abstract

Purpose : Atropine eye drops are used to prevent the progression of myopia, but there is limited data on the frequency of medication. This study aims to evaluate the effects of different frequencies of 0.05% atropine in retarding the progression of myopia in Chinese children.

Methods : This study was a randomized, self-control trial. A total of 180 children aged 6 to 14 years with myopia ranging from -1.00D to -6.00D in both eyes were enrolled between April 2021 and October 2021 at Changsha Aier Eye Hospital in Changsha, China. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups: once per week (A), twice per week (B), or once per day (C) to receive atropine in both eyes for one year. The primary and secondary efficacy endpoints were changes in Spherical equivalent (SE) and axial length (AL) from baseline to one year. Adverse events were also recorded.

Results : Data from 164 subjects were analyzed. At 1 year, compliance was similar in the three groups (A 93.3%; B 95.7%; C 94.6%). Of the 164 participants, 87 were girls (53%), and the mean (SD) age was 10.88 (2.38) years. The average initial age and refraction were similar between the three groups. The mean (SD) baseline refractive error and axial length were -2.65 (1.68) D and 24.58 (0.88) mm. At one year, the least squares mean change in SE and AL from baseline were -0.46(0.64)D and 0.25(0.27)mm for group A, -0.41(0.55)D and 0.19(0.16)mm for group B, and -0.11(0.53)D and 0.08(0.23)mm for group C. There was a statistically significant difference among the three groups for SE and AL from baseline to 1 year (F=13.16, P=0.00 and F=8.98, P=0.00). The once per day group had the best myopia control, and the two low-frequency groups had a similar effect to the 0.01% atropine (once per day) in previous studies. No serious adverse events related to atropine were reported.

Conclusions : High-frequency dosing of 0.05% atropine was found to be more effective in retarding the progression of myopia in Chinese children compared to low-frequency groups over one year. Further studies will be conducted over the next two years.

This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.