ATROPINE FOR PRE- MYOPIA: A PROACTIVE APPROACH FOR PARENTS - Find a Behavioural Optometrist for Your Child in Hillsdale, Sydney

ATROPINE FOR PRE-MYOPIA:

A PROACTIVE APPROACH FOR PARENTS

LET’S EXPLORE WHAT THIS MEANS FOR FAMILIES.

Pre-myopia is when a child shows early signs that they might
develop myopia.

Risk factors include:

Family history. If one or both parents have myopia.
Environmental factors such as reduced time spent outdoors and extended periods of near work such as reading or screentime.
Age and prescription. Children with hyperopia lower than
expected for their age.

With myopia becoming increasingly
prevalent among children, it is essential
to take a proactive approach in slowing
its progression. Low-dose atropine is
promising treatment for delaying the
onset of myopia in children at risk.

Several studies have shown that low doses of atropine might help prevent myopia in kids
who are at risk of developing it. In one study, children who used 0.025% atropine eye drops
for 12 months had a slower rate of myopia progression compared to kids who didn’t use
atropine. In fact, only 21% of kids using atropine developed myopia, compared to 54% in the
control group. This shows that atropine could help delay or reduce the onset of myopia.

Another study showed similar results with 0.01% atropine. After two years, the kids using
atropine progressed at a slower rate (-0.60D) than those who didn’t use it (-1.75D). This
indicates that low-dose atropine might be a helpful treatment to slow down myopia in kids
who are at risk.

Atropine is showing promise, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. While the studies are
encouraging, there are still some things to consider before choosing atropine for your child:

Age: Some research suggests that younger kids (especially those under 9) might benefit more from higher doses, like .05%, while older kids (10 and up) might respond better to 0.01%.
Side effects: Low-dose atropine is generally well-tolerated, but like any medication, it’s important to monitor for side effects. Most kids do fine with it, but if you notice any unusual symptoms (like blurry vision or light sensitivity), it’s best to check with your eye care professional.
Lifestyle: If your child isn’t able to get enough outdoor time, atropine may help, but increasing outdoor playtime is still an important and natural way to protect your child’s vision.

The idea of using atropine as a proactive treatment to prevent myopia is exciting for parents.
If your child is at risk of
developing myopia, low-dose atropine could be a simple, effective
way to slow down the progression and delay the need for stronger glasses or contact lenses
in the future. But like any treatment, it’s important to work with your child’s eye care
professional to find the right solution for them.

Whether it’s encouraging more outdoor time or considering atropine as an option, taking steps now can help set your child up for better long-term vision health.

Reference: Myopia Profile

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