Atropine Drop Therapy
A non-invasive, clinically proven approach for managing the progression of myopia in children with minimal side effects.
How Does Atropine Therapy Work?
Low-dose atropine is a clinically proven medication that works at the biochemical level to slow myopia progression in children. Unlike other myopia management options, it doesn't involve wearing special lenses, making it ideal for young children.
- Atropine is a medication that, when used in very low doses, helps to reduce the eye's ability to focus on close objects. The reduced focusing effort helps prevent the eye from elongating, which is the main cause of myopia progression.
- A safe and effective approach for children to slow down myopia progression, with clinical studies showing 30-50% reduction in progression rates.
- Customized treatment plan and care provided by Dr. Zhu-Tam and her team, with regular monitoring to ensure optimal results.
Benefits of Atropine Therapy
Low-dose atropine offers several advantages as a myopia management strategy:
- Non-invasive option for slowing myopia progression with minimal side effects
- Reduces the risk of high myopia and related eye health complications later in life, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy
- Great alternative for toddlers or patients who cannot tolerate contact lenses
- Easy once-daily application, typically at bedtime, with no daytime vision changes
- Can be used alongside glasses or in combination with other myopia control methods for enhanced effectiveness
Atropine Therapy: What to Expect
How Atropine Therapy Works
Atropine drops are typically used once a day at bedtime. The medication works by temporarily blocking the eye's focusing mechanism and influencing biochemical changes in the eye that help slow its elongation (the main cause of myopia progression).
Atropine Therapy for Children
Clinical studies show that low-concentration Atropine (0.01% to 0.05%) can slow myopia progression in children by 30-50% with minimal side effects. The earlier treatment begins, the better the long-term results for your child's vision health.
Does It Hurt?
The drops are painless but might cause a mild sensation of discomfort such as slight irritation or a dry feeling when first applied. This is typically brief and usually goes away quickly. Most children adapt to the drops within a few days of starting treatment.
When Will I See Results?
The effect of low-dose Atropine may not be immediately noticeable, but it can take a few months of consistent use before you start to see measurable results in slowing the progression of myopia. Regular follow-up appointments will help track your child's progress.
Does It Cure Myopia?
Atropine therapy manages myopia but does not cure it. Glasses or contact lenses are still needed with the use of Atropine. The goal of treatment is to slow down the progression of myopia to prevent high myopia and reduce the risk of associated eye conditions later in life.
Side Effects
Low-dose Atropine is generally well tolerated, but some people may experience mild side effects, which include light sensitivity, difficulty with near vision, mild eye irritation, redness or dryness, and temporary blurry vision. These effects are typically minimal with the low concentrations used for myopia control.
Is Atropine Therapy Right for Your Child?
Atropine therapy may be ideal for:
- Children between 4-18 years old with progressive myopia
- Young children who aren't ready for contact lens options
- Children with rapidly increasing prescriptions (more than 0.50D per year)
- Patients looking for a non-invasive myopia control option
- Children who participate in sports and activities where contact lenses might be problematic
Frequently Asked Questions
Low-dose Atropine therapy has been shown to be safe and effective for children. In the concentrations used for myopia control (typically 0.01% to 0.05%), side effects are minimal. However, as with any medical treatment, it should be administered under the supervision of an eye care professional.
Atropine therapy for myopia control is typically a long-term treatment that continues throughout the years when myopia tends to progress most rapidly (usually until late teens). Your eye doctor will monitor your child's progress regularly and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
Yes, Atropine drops can be used in combination with other myopia management strategies such as orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses or MiSight contact lenses for enhanced effectiveness in some cases. Your eye doctor will recommend the best combination based on your child's specific needs.
Regular Atropine (1%) has been used for decades in eye care for pupil dilation and other purposes, but causes significant side effects like blurred near vision and light sensitivity. Low-dose Atropine (0.01% to 0.05%) used for myopia control provides the benefits of slowing myopia progression with minimal side effects.
Explore Other Myopia Management Options
Every child is unique. Dr. Zhu-Tam offers multiple myopia control methods that can be used alone or in combination for optimal results.
Ortho-K Lenses
Overnight contact lenses that gently reshape the cornea while sleeping for clear daytime vision without glasses.
Learn MoreMiSight® Contact Lenses
FDA-approved daily disposable contact lenses specifically designed to slow myopia progression in children.
Learn More