A recent clinical trial has shown promising results for the use of low-dose atropine as a treatment for myopia (nearsightedness) in children. The three-year study involved daily eye drops of a low dose of atropine in children aged 6 to 10 and found that it was more effective than a placebo in limiting changes in eyeglass prescriptions and inhibiting eye elongation.
Eye elongation is a major factor in the progression of myopia, which typically starts in childhood and worsens during the teenage years. Nearsightedness not only requires lifelong vision correction but also increases the risk of various eye conditions, including retinal detachment, macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma later in life. Most corrective lenses do not address myopia progression.
The study’s lead author, Karla Zadnik, expressed excitement about the potential benefits of slowing eye elongation, not only for thinner glasses but also to reduce the risk of visual impairment in older age.
The CHAMP (Childhood Atropine for Myopia Progression) trial results were published in JAMA Ophthalmology. Currently, no pharmaceutical products are approved in the United States or Europe specifically for treating myopia, although one contact lens has been approved to slow its progression.
Early animal studies suggested that atropine could slow eye growth, but concerns about its effects on near vision and pupil dilation limited its consideration as a myopia therapy. Recent research, however, has indicated that low-dose atropine may be a viable option.
The phase 3 trial assessed the safety and effectiveness of two low-dose atropine solutions (concentrations of 0.01% or 0.02%) compared to a placebo. Each child received one daily drop per eye at bedtime to minimize any potential blurring effects on vision. The trial involved 489 children aged 6 to 10.