Safety and efficacy of reconstituted atropine 0.01% eye drops for Indian children with myopic progression

Aim: To evaluate safety and efficacy of reconstituted atropine 0.01% eye drops for Indian children with myopic progression. Methods: Fifty children with progressive myopia with their spherical equivalent increasing at least 0.75 D in 6 months (0.75 to 1.50 D) were put on reconstituted atropine 0.01%. Ocular examination, including near vision, near point of accommodation (NPA), pupil size and axial length, was done. Subjective symptoms of glare and photophobia were noted. Systemic side effects were documented. Analysis was done using Microsoft Excel 2010. Results: The average age of patients was 9.5 years (range 5 to 14 years) and they were followed up for 1 year. Average mesopic and photopic pupil size was 5 and 4 mm, respectively. Average NPA was 9 cm. Mean increase in spherical equivalence was 0.18 D over 6 months. Average increase in axial length was 0.12 ± 0.11 mm over 6 months and 0.2 ± 0.29 mm over 1 year. Average increase in spherical equivalent over 6 months was 0.07 ± 0.19 D and over 1 year was 0.32 ± 0.29 D. No systemic side effects were recorded. Conclusion: Reconstituted atropine 0.01% eye drops is safe and efficacious in slowingthe progression of myopia in Indian children.