# The Daily and Two-Day Usage of Low-Dose Atropine on Myopic Control in a Low-Myopia Population

## TL;DR

This study found that using low-dose atropine every other day is just as effective as daily use for controlling myopia in children with mild nearsightedness.

## Contribution

The study compares two dosing frequencies of low-dose atropine for myopia control in a low-myopia population.

## Key findings

- Daily and two-day atropine use showed similar effects on spherical equivalent refraction progression.
- Axial length elongation was not significantly different between the two dosing groups.
- Both dosing regimens were equally effective in controlling myopia over one year.

## Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using low-dose atropine (ATR) at different instillation frequencies on myopia control in a low-myopia population. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, and patients using 0.01% ATR and exhibiting a myopia degree ranging from +0.00 to −1.00 diopter (D) were included. A total of 32 and 26 eyes from 32 and 26 individuals were included in the daily group and two-day group, respectively. The main outcomes of this study are the progression of the spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and the elongation of the axial length (AXL). The Mann–Whitney U test and generalized linear model were used to perform the statistical analysis. Results: After a follow-up period of one year, the change in SER was similar between the daily group and two-day group (−0.24 ± 0.09 versus −0.26 ± 0.08, p = 0.393). In addition, there was an insignificant difference in AXL elongation between the daily group and two-day group (0.09 ± 0.07 versus 0.10 ± 0.09, p = 0.655). The trends observed in SER progression (p = 0.604) and AXL elongation (p = 0.779) were statistically identical between the daily group and the two-day group. Conclusions: The results of the two-day use of low-dose ATR regarding SER and AXL control are similar to those with the daily use of low-dose ATR in children with low myopia.