Two recent studies have provided conflicting results regarding the efficacy of atropine eye drops in slowing the progression of myopia in children. A study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that 0.01% atropine eye drops were effective in slowing myopia progression and had no adverse effects in a European population. However, a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that atropine eye drops at the same concentration did not outperform placebo drops in slowing myopia progression in a sample of US children. The studies differed in factors such as the ethnicity of the children enrolled and the length of follow-up.
The conflicting results highlight the need for further research to understand the environmental, genetic, and structural factors that contribute to myopia. In the meantime, ophthalmologists are faced with the challenge of providing evidence-based recommendations to parents of myopic children. The decision to prescribe atropine eye drops may vary depending on factors such as the individual patient and their specific needs. The treatment of myopia and its progression remains a complex and unresolved issue.
