Low-Dose Atropine Therapy

Low-Dose Atropine is a powerful pharmacological treatment used to slow the progression of myopia.

This therapy involves the daily application of a specialized, diluted eye drop and is often used as a standalone treatment or in combination with optical treatments like Stellest or MiSight.

How Atropine Works

Atropine is a well-established medication, but for myopia control, it is used in much lower concentrations (typically 0.01% to 0.05%) than traditional applications.

Mechanism of Action: While the exact mechanism of how low-dose atropine slows eye growth is still being researched, the primary accepted theories involve its effect on the structure of the eye:

1. Scleral Effect: Atropine is believed to affect the receptors in the back layer of the eye (the sclera), which prevents the thinning and weakening that occurs as the eye elongates.
2. Accommodation Relaxation: Atropine also temporarily relaxes the eye’s focusing mechanism (accommodation), which may reduce the strain believed to contribute to myopia progression.

By applying just one drop per eye each evening, the therapy works overnight to provide continuous control.

Benefits and Suitability

• Established Efficacy: It is one of the most studied and globally recognized treatments for slowing myopia progression.
• Ease of Use: Treatment is simple-a daily eye drop applied at home, making it easy for young children to adhere to.
• Combination Therapy: Atropine works well when combined with optical treatments (like Stellest or MiSight) for children who show a faster rate of progression.
• No Visual Impact: At these low doses, there are typically no side effects like blurred vision or light sensitivity experienced with higher concentrations.

The Treatment Process

Atropine drops are compounded by a specialty pharmacy and require a prescription. Once treatment begins, the patient must be monitored closely with follow-up appointments every 6 months. Our comprehensive management program includes the clinical time required to monitor the effectiveness of the drops and make necessary adjustments to the concentration.