Effects of weekly unilateral application of 1% atropine on reducing anisometropia in Chinese children with low myopia

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of weekly unilateral application of 1 % atropine on reducing anisometropia in Chinese children with low myopia.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, anisometropic children aged 6–12 years receiving atropine in the more myopic eye for at least 3 months were included in atropine group (n = 150), and baseline matched counterparts without atropine use were included in control group (n = 50). Changes in spherical equivalent refraction (SER), axial length (AL) and other biometric parameters between each visits were analyzed.

Results

At 3 months, anisometropia of atropine group reduced by 0.737 ± 0.030 D (P < 0.001), with SER increasing by 0.528 ± 0.024 D and AL decreasing by 0.118 ± 0.008 mm in the atropine-treated eyes. The changes of SER and AL of the contralateral eyes between the two groups showed no significant difference (P = 0.489 and 0.107, respectively). Initial SER in the atropine-treated eyes was positively associated with the change of SER in those eyes (P = 0.042) and negatively associated with the change of anisometropia in atropine group (P = 0.048). With continuous atropine application for 9 months, anisometropia reduced by 1.212 ± 0.153 D (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Weekly unilateral 1 % atropine application in the more myopic eye was effective for reducing anisometropia in children with low myopia and would not alter myopia progression in the contralateral eye. Children with lower initial myopia in the treated eye showed more alleviation of myopia in that eye and more reduction of anisometropia.