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

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.

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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