Title: Study Funded by NEI Reveals Ineffectiveness of Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops in Slowing Myopia Progression in Children
In a recent study conducted by the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG) and funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), it was found that low-dose atropine eyedrops (0.01% concentration) were not more effective than a placebo in slowing the progression of myopia in children. The results of the two-year randomized controlled trial were published in JAMA Ophthalmology, raising concerns about the need for further research on myopia prevention and treatment strategies.
Myopia, a leading cause of refractive error that can lead to vision loss later in life, affects a significant portion of the population. The trial aimed to find a more effective way to manage this condition. Interestingly, the findings contradict previous studies primarily conducted in East Asia, which suggested that 0.01% atropine could slow down myopia.
The director of NEI, Michael F. Chiang, emphasized the need for further research to determine if different doses or combinations of atropine with other strategies may have a better effect in the US population. This is particularly urgent as the prevalence of myopia is escalating rapidly. It is predicted that by 2030, there will be 39 million people in the US affected by myopia, and by 2050, this number is expected to grow to 44 million in the US and half of the global population.
While higher concentrations of atropine (0.5-1.0%) have shown effectiveness in slowing myopia progression, they come with side effects such as light sensitivity and blurry near vision. Lower concentrations, like 0.01%, have been tested for fewer side effects. However, the study noted racial differences in atropine response, as it enrolled fewer Asian children whose myopia progresses more quickly and included Black children whose myopia progresses less quickly than other races.
The study involved 187 children aged 5 to 12 years with low-to-moderate myopia, who were assigned to use either nightly atropine (0.01%) or a placebo for two years. Surprisingly, no significant differences were observed in the changes in the degree of myopia and axial length between the two groups.
Lead co-author of the study, Katherine K. Weise, suggested that different concentrations of atropine or combinations with other treatments, such as special glasses or contact lenses, should be evaluated to find an optimal approach for reducing myopia progression. Myopia tends to stabilize in approximately half of children around the age of 16. However, a significant percentage of individuals in their early twenties continue to experience progression.
Further research is needed to understand the environmental, genetic, and structural aspects of myopia and develop new treatment strategies. The Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG), a collaborative network of experts dedicated to conducting trials on eye disorders affecting children, is actively involved in further studies.
The trial was funded by NEI grants, with the ClinicalTrials.gov identifier being NCT03334253. As the findings challenge previous assumptions about the effectiveness of low-dose atropine eyedrops, this study highlights the importance of continuing research into myopia prevention and treatment strategies.
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