Atropine Drops for Myopia Management in Children

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is an increasingly common vision issue among children worldwide. It occurs when the eye grows too long, causing distant objects to appear blurry while nearby objects remain clear. While conventional glasses or contact lenses can correct vision, they do not slow down the progression of myopia. However, there’s a treatment option that’s gaining attention for its potential to control myopia progression in children—atropine eye drops.

At Sherwood Park Eye Centre, our Optometrists believe a proactive approach to managing myopia to ensure healthy vision for your child’s future. Enrollment in our Myopia Management Clinic will give you confidence that all solutions are considered and the treatment plan recommended by your doctor will be safe and effective.

What is Atropine?

Atropine is a medication that has traditionally been used to dilate the pupils during eye exams or to treat certain eye conditions. In recent years, researchers have discovered that low-dose atropine eye drops can also slow down the progression of myopia in children. The treatment involves applying a very low concentration (typically 0.01% to 0.05%) of atropine to the eyes once a day, typically before bedtime.

How Does Atropine Work for Myopia Management?

While the exact mechanism is not entirely understood, atropine is believed to work by temporarily reducing the eye’s ability to focus closely, which may slow down the eye’s excessive growth that leads to myopia. By slowing this growth, atropine may prevent the eye from becoming too elongated, which can help reduce the severity of nearsightedness over time.

Benefits of Atropine for Myopia Control

1. Slows Myopia Progression

Studies have shown that low-dose atropine can reduce the rate of myopia progression by up to 50-60%. This is especially important for children who are developing myopia at an early age, as high myopia increases the risk of serious eye health problems later in life, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

3. Minimal Side Effects

Low-dose atropine has been shown to have minimal side effects. In higher concentrations, atropine can cause light sensitivity and difficulty with near vision, but these side effects are significantly reduced with the low-dose formulation used for myopia management.

What to Expect During Atropine Treatment

1. Daily Application

Parents will need to administer the drops to their child’s eyes every night before bed. The drops work best when used consistently over time, so adherence to the treatment schedule is important.

2. Regular Eye Check-ups

Children undergoing atropine treatment will need regular follow-up appointments with their optometrist to monitor the progression of myopia and adjust the treatment plan if necessary. This ensures that the treatment remains effective and any side effects are managed properly. Children enrolled in our Myopia Management Clinic will have more frequent follow up visits to measure axial length and monitor changes in prescription.

3. Continued Need for Glasses or Contacts

It’s important to note that atropine treatment doesn’t replace the need for corrective lenses. Children will still need glasses or contact lenses to see clearly, but the goal of atropine treatment is to slow down the worsening of myopia over time.

Is Atropine Right for Your Child?

While atropine is a promising option for managing myopia in children, it’s not the right choice for everyone. Your child’s optometrist will consider several factors, including:

• Age: Atropine is typically recommended for children between the ages of 5 and 15, as this is when myopia progression tends to be the fastest.
• Myopia Progression Rate: Atropine is most effective in children whose myopia is worsening rapidly.
• Lifestyle: For active children, who may struggle with contact lenses or glasses, managing the progression of myopia with atropine can be beneficial in the long term.

Alternative Myopia Management Options

While atropine is an effective treatment for slowing down myopia progression, it is often recommended to be used alongside other solutions:

• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): This involves wearing specially designed contact lenses overnight to reshape the cornea temporarily, providing clear vision during the day.
• Myopia Control Contact Lenses or Glasses: These lenses are designed to reduce the progression of myopia through areas of defocus in the peripheral of the lenses.

Myopia in children is becoming more common, but parents now have options to slow its progression and protect their child’s long-term vision. Atropine eye drops are a safe and effective solution for many children, helping to reduce the severity of myopia and lower the risk of future eye health complications.

At Sherwood Park Eye Centre, we’re here to support you in managing your child’s vision care. If you’re concerned about your child’s myopia or would like to learn more about atropine treatment, contact us to schedule an appointment. Together, we can take proactive steps to ensure your child enjoys clear, healthy vision for years to come.