Does your child have myopia (short-sightedness)? Are you looking for ways to slow down its progression and protect their vision? Using low-dose atropine eye drops every night is one of the most popular treatments being used by eyecare professionals worldwide. In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know—how it works, what the research says, and whether it might be the right choice for your child.
What Are Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops?
Atropine is a medication that relaxes the focusing muscles in the eye and makes the pupils larger. While high doses have been used for other eye conditions, research shows that lower doses (like 0.01%, 0.025%, and 0.05%) can help slow down eye growth—the main cause of myopia progression—while keeping side effects to a minimum.
Does Atropine Work for Myopia Control?
Several reliable studies have tested atropine’s effectiveness:
- The ATOM2 study found that 0.01% atropine slowed down myopia progression but was not as strong as higher concentrations like 0.025% or 0.05%.
- The LAMP study showed that 0.05% atropine had the best myopia control effect, followed by 0.025%, then 0.01%.
- 0.01% atropine alone is often not enough but works well when combined with other treatments like Ortho-K contact lenses.
How Is Atropine Used for Myopia Control?
Atropine can be used alone or combined with other treatments:
- As a solo treatment: If a child cannot wear contact lenses such as Misight and Orthok lenses or wear myopia control spectacles, atropine might be an option. However, 0.01% is too weak as a solo treatment, and higher strengths like 0.025% or 0.05% are usually more effective.
- As a combination treatment: Atropine can be added to other myopia control methods like Ortho-K lenses to improve results.
Why Choose Atropine?
Low-dose atropine eye drops has a few advantages as a treatment for slowing down myopia:
✔ Effective at slowing myopia, especially at higher concentrations.
✔ A good option when other treatments aren’t suitable, such as for kids who can’t wear contact lenses and other myopia control glasses.
✔ Easy to use, usually involves minimal discomfort and adaptation.
✔ Can be used with other myopia treatments, great improvement in myopia control has been shown when combining force with other treatment options such as orthok lens.
Because of these advantages, atropine is often used when other treatments are not an option or when more control is needed.
Challenges and Considerations
Atropine is not for everyone. Here are some things to consider:
- It can affect focusing ability: Some kids might struggle with near work, especially if they have specific types of binocular visual dysfunction that affect their ability to focus properly.
- Light sensitivity: Larger pupils can make bright light harder to tolerate, leading to glare.
- Daily eye drops: Some children find it challenging to put in eye drops every night.
- Limited availability: Only 0.01% atropine is available commercially. Higher strengths (0.025% and 0.05%) must be made by specialty pharmacies.
- Atropine eye drops may not be ideal for children undergoing Red-Light Repeated Low-Level (RLRL) therapy for myopia control. Since atropine dilates pupils, it may alter the amount of light entering the eye, potentially affecting how RLRL therapy works.
Sun Protection is Important!
Because atropine dilates pupils, sun protection is especially important for children who are atropine eye drops:
Photochromic (transition) lenses can help adjust to different lighting conditions. 🌞 Sunglasses and hats are recommended, especially in summer.
Conclusion
Low-dose atropine is an effective option for managing myopia, but its suitability needs to be carefully evaluated based on a child’s overall eye health, lifestyle, and other factors. Our optometrists at The Eye Collective are experienced in myopia control. If you would like to explore the best myopia management strategy for your child, make an appointment to see one of our optometrists today.