Low-Dose Atropine as a Therapeutic Intervention for Myopia Progression

Low-Dose Atropine as a Therapeutic Intervention for Myopia Progression

Alvin Sherman Library

The prevalence of myopia (nearsightedness) is growing at an increasingly alarming rate throughout the world. Data from 2010 measured myopia presence in the world's population to be 27% yet is predicted to reach 52% by 2050. One of the most common interventions implemented today is low dose atropine (0.01-0.05%) which acts upon muscarinic receptors in the back of the eye to slow eyeball elongation. The objective of this experiment is to examine the effectiveness of low dose atropine on slowing myopia progression in children by monitoring refractive error and axial length. It was hypothesized that low dose atropine will produce a decrease in spherical equivalent change and axial elongation in pediatric patients. This systematic literature review consisted of selective studies based on relevance to pediatric atropine treatment for myopia, while exclusion criteria included eliminating outdated research, not directly pertinent, or duplicates. Data extracted from included studies were placed in a cross-study analysis. Evidence from the studies reveal that low dose atropine effectively reduced myopia progression over at least one year of treatment. Results show variation in correlation of higher concentrations and greater reductions where some studies suggest that there is a positive dose response. Rebound effects were occasionally observed at higher dosages. These findings support low dose atropine as an effective intervention to slow pediatric myopia progression and provide the foundation necessary for upcoming clinical trials. Further research is required to solidify atropine's effectiveness, given its potential to significantly slow the increase of this worldwide ocular disease.