A new study from the Journal of the American Medical Association has found evidence that 0.05% atropine eye drops may delay or even prevent the onset of myopia.
Tell me about the study.
Researchers at The Chinese University of Hong Kong enrolled 474 nonmyopic children, ages 4 through 9, in a randomized 2-year trial (LAMP2).
Enrollees were split into three groups receiving eye drops of 0.05% atropine, 0.01% atropine, and placebo in both eyes nightly. Out of all enrolled patients, 74.5% (353 total) completed the trial.
What did they find?
Over 2 years, the cumulative incidence of myopia in the 0.05% atropine group was 24.6% lower cumulative myopia incidence than in the placebo group and 17.5% lower incidence than in the 0.1% atropine group. The 0.01% atropine group and placebo group did not have a significantly different cumulative myopia incidence.
The percentages of patients with fast myopic shift* at 2 years were 25% in the 0.05% atropine group, 45.1% in the 0.01% atropine group, and 53.9% in the placebo group.
*Defined as a myopic shift >-0.5 D per year.
What’s next?
The research group calls for further research “to replicate the findings, to understand whether this represents a delay or prevention of myopia, and to assess longer-term safety.” Several of the authors have filed a patent for this treatment.
Significance?
The LAMP2 trial is notable for its focus on prophylactic treatment rather than therapeutic. Study outcomes focused on delaying myopia onset, not just progression, suggesting the possibility of a proactive—rather than reactive—approach to myopia.