Short-Term Effect of Low-Dose Atropine and Hyperopic Defocus on Choroidal Thickness and Axial Length in Young Myopic Adults

Abstract

Purpose. To examine the interaction between a short period of hyperopic defocus and low-dose atropine upon the choroidal thickness and ocular biometrics of healthy myopic subjects. Methods. Twenty young adult myopic subjects had subfoveal choroidal thickness (ChT) and ocular biometry measurements taken before and 30 and 60 min following the introduction of optical blur (0.00 D and −3.00 D) combined with administration of 0.01% atropine or placebo. Each combination of optical blur and drug was tested on different days in a fixed order. Results. The choroid exhibited significant thinning after imposing hyperopic defocus combined with placebo (mean change of −11 ± 2 μm, p0.05). Conclusion. Low-dose atropine does inhibit the short-term effect of hyperopic blur on choroidal thickness and, when used alone, does cause a slight thickening of the choroid in young healthy myopic adults.