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The effect of atropine 0.01% eyedrops on relative peripheral refraction in myopic children

Eye volume 37, pages 356–361 (2023)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background

Relative peripheral refraction (RPR) is a significant factor that participates in myopic development. Here, we evaluated the effects of atropine 0.01% eyedrops, as an antimyopia drug, on RPR.

Methods

Seventy-three children were enrolled from a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-0.01% atropine eyedrops cross-over trial. The study group had used the placebo for one year and then crossed over to atropine 0.01% eyedrops for half a year. The control group had used 0.01% atropine for one year and then crossed over to placebo eyedrops for half a year. Central and horizontal peripheral refractions (15° and 30° at the temporal and nasal retina) were measured under non-cycloplegia and cycloplegia.

Results

No significant differences in age, gender, and central refraction were identified between the two groups (P > 0.05). Under non-cycloplegia, the control group showed significant relative hyperopia in the temporal 30° retina and the nasal retina (P = 0.031; P < 0.001; P < 0.001). In the study group, the relative hyperopia in the temporal 30° retina disappeared (P = 0.983). After cycloplegia, the control group had less myopia in central refractions and less hyperopia in temporal RPR (P < 0.001; P = 0.039; P < 0.001). The study group did not present significant changes in central refractions and temporal RPR (P = 0.122; P = 0.222; P = 0.475).

Conclusions

For myopic children, atropine 0.01% eyedrops can alleviate relative hyperopia in the temporal retina and the hyperopic shift before cycloplegia. The effect might participate in myopia control.

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Fig. 1: The differences in relative peripheral refractions between myopic children with and without atropine 0.01% eyedrops.
Fig. 2: The differences in relative peripheral refractions between the non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic refractions in myopic children.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank support and help from Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University.

Funding

The work was supported by Beihang University-CMU, Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Ophthalmic subcenter and Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen (No. SZSM201512045).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Capital Medical University, 100730, Beijing, China

    Jiaxin Tian, Shifei Wei, Shiming Li, Wenzai An, Weiling Bai, Xintong Liang, Jialing Du & Ningli Wang

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  1. Jiaxin Tian
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Contributions

JT, SW, SL and NW: study concept and design and manuscript revision. JT, SW, WA, WB, XL and JD: performed the study. JT: drafted manuscript. JT and SW: statistical analysis. SW, SL and NW: revised the manuscript. NW: administrative, technical, material support, or study supervision. All authors participated in and provided help for the study.

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Correspondence to Ningli Wang.

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Tian, J., Wei, S., Li, S. et al. The effect of atropine 0.01% eyedrops on relative peripheral refraction in myopic children. Eye 37, 356–361 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-021-01923-1

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