Effects of 0.01% Atropine Eye Drops on Controlling Myopia Progression in School Age Children in Ophthalmology Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Purpose:  To determine the effects of 0.01% atropine eye drops in controlling myopia progression in school age children presenting to Ophthalmology Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital. Study Design:  Quasi experimental study. Place & Duration of Study:  Department of ophthalmology Jinnah postgraduate Medical Center, JPMC Karachi and Advance Eye Clinic Karachi, Pakistan from July 2018 to July 2020. Methods:  One hundred myopic patients (myopia of 0.5D to 13.0D) with age range of 6 – 14 years were recruited. Patients with astigmatism <-2.0D, other ocular or medical disease and history of laser or ocular surgery were excluded. Atropine group was instructed to instill Atropine 0.01% once at night time. Control group did not receive any treatment. Refraction was performed at all examinations with and without Cycloplegia along with fundoscopy and axial length measurements. The follow up frequency was at 3 monthly intervals. Data was analyzed using SPSS 22. To compare quantitative data between groups, t-test was used while for qualitative data Chi-square test was used. Results:  Mean age was 9.21 ± 2.45 years. Out of 100, 57 were males. There was no statistical difference between atropine group vs control group in terms of baseline SER (spherical equivalent refraction), (p = 0.407) and baseline axial length (p = 0.892). Mean difference in SER from baseline to after completion of study two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Mean difference in AL from baseline to end of study between two groups was also statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion:  Low concentration atropine 0.01% can be helpful in halting myopia progression.