Eye Drops Can Slow Myopia Progression in Children

Findings of a recent clinical trial showed that a daily drop of a low dose of atropine in each eye is better than a placebo at limiting eyeglass power changes. This marks the first promising medication therapy to reduce the onset of nearsightedness in the pediatric population.

This three-year study found that a daily drop of low-dose atropine – a drug used to dilate pupils, in each eye was better than a placebo at limiting eyeglass prescription changes and inhibiting elongation of the eye in nearsighted children aged 6-10.

Myopia is characterized by elongation in the axial ocular length, which starts in young kids and tends to worsen by the time they attain teenage – before leveling off in most individuals. In addition to requiring life-long vision correction, nearsightedness increases the risk for retinal detachment, macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma later in life. Existing management modalities are only corrective and barely offer a remedy to curb myopia progression.

This ground-breaking treatment can aid in preventing visual impairment risk among myopic individuals. In later life

The results of the CHAMP (Childhood Atropine for Myopia Progression) trial are published on the 1st of June in JAMA Ophthalmology.