Atropine 0.5% eyedrops for the treatment of children with low myopia: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of atropine 0.5% eyedrops (ATE) for the treatment of children with low myopia (LM). METHODS: In this study, a total of 126 children with LM were randomly divided into an intervention group (administered 0.5% ATE) and a control group (administered a placebo), with 63 children in each group. The outcome measurements were changes in the spherical equivalent (SE), and axial length (AL), as well as adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: Compared with placebo, administration of 0.5% ATE led to less progression in LM, as measured by SE, and less increase in AL (P < .01). In addition, no serious AEs occurred in both the groups. CONCLUSION: About 0.5% ATE was efficacious and safe for controlling myopia in children with LM.