Abstract
PURPOSE: Low-concentration atropine is an emerging therapy for myopia progression, but its efficacy remains uncertain among high myopic children. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-concentration atropine eye drop (0.01%) in high myopic children. METHODS: A non-randomized, parallel-group, longitudinal interventional cohort study. Myopic children were divided into two groups: (1) the intervention arm of children who received one drop of topical 0.01% atropine once a day at bedtime and (2) the control arm, in which enrolled children who were on observation only. Repeated measurements of spherical equivalent refractive errors (SERs) were performed at baseline and 1 and 2 years after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 37 eyes were enrolled in the intervention arm (allocated to 0.01% atropine at year 1 follow-up) and 23 eyes in the control arm. After 1 year of 0.01% atropine therapy, the myopia progression was 0.15 ± 0.9 D in the intervention group versus 1.1 ± 1 D in the control group (P = 0.001). Similarly, after 2 years of treatment, the myopia progression was 0.3 ± 1.1 D in the intervention group versus 1.4 ± 1.1 D in the control group (P ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared to no treatment, 0.01% atropine treatment had shown better effect on myopia progression in high myopic children.