EFFICACY OF 0.01% ATROPINE EYE DROPS IN REDUCING MYOPIA PROGRESSION.

JPUMHS; 2025:15:01,167-179. http://doi.org/10.46536/jpumhs/2025/15.01.610

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Myopia is a widespread refractive error that is becoming more common in
young children and adolescents. Severe myopia predisposes individuals to degenerative ocular
problems, including retinal detachment and myopic maculopathy, necessitating early
management. Atropine eye drops at 0.01% may reduce myopia progression, although further
research is needed on their efficacy and safety. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and
efficacy of 0.01% atropine eye drops in controlling myopia progression in children.
METHODS AND MATERIALS: The Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Teaching
Institution-Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, conducted this quasi-experimental
study. This study included 44 children aged 6-12 with SER -1.00-6.00 diopters with myopia
progression > -0.50 diopters in the previous year. Every night for 18 months, participants were
randomly either 0.01% atropine eye drops or a placebo. Main results were SER and AL. The
data was analyzed with IBM SPSS (Version 25) and R. We used ANOVA to compare group
time and medicine. RESULTS: The results show that 0.01% atropine may help delay the
evolution of myopia, but the change was not statistically significant and should be examine
cautious. Primary outcomes were the changes in spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial
length (AL) over a six-month period. The intervention group showed a slower rate of myopia
progression compared to the control group. The mean change in SER in the intervention group
was -0.30 ± 0.18 diopters, while the control group showed a greater shift of -0.51 ± 0.22
diopters. Similarly, the increase in axial length was lower in the intervention group (0.14 ± 0.07
mm) compared to the control group (0.21 ± 0.09 mm). These findings reflect a trend toward
reduced progression in the atropine-treated group, although the differences did not reach
statistical significance (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest a potential benefit
of 0.01% atropine in slowing myopia progression, though differences were not statistically
significant.