Effectiveness of 0.01% atropine in anisomyopic children.

Purpose: To investigate the change in ocular parameters of anisomyopic children treated with 0.01% atropine.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the data of anisomyopic children who underwent comprehensive examination at a tertiary eye center in India. Anisomyopic subjects (difference of ≥1.00 D) of age 6-12 years who were treated with 0.01% atropine or prescribed regular single vision spectacle and had follow-ups of more than 1 year were included.

Results: Data from 52 subjects were included. No difference was observed in the mean rate of change of spherical equivalent (SE) of more myopic eyes between 0.01% atropine (-0.56 D; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.82, -0.30) and single vision lens wearers (-0.59 D; 95% CI: -0.80, -0.37; P = 0.88). Similarly, insignificant change in the mean SE of less myopic eyes was noted between the groups (0.01% atropine group, -0.62 D; 95% CI: -0.88, -0.36 vs. single vision spectacle wearer group, -0.76 D; 95% CI: -1.00, -0.52; P = 0.43). None of the ocular biometric parameters showed any difference between the two groups. Though anisomyopic cohort treated with 0.01% atropine revealed a significant correlation between the rate of change of mean SE and axial length in both eyes (more myopic eyes, r = -0.58; P = 0.001 and less myopic eyes, r = -0.82; P < 0.001) compared to single vision spectacle wearer group, the change was not significant.

Conclusion: Administration of 0.01% atropine had minimal effect on reducing the rate of myopia progression in anisomyopic eyes.