BMC Ophthalmology (Apr 2022)

Effect of 0.02% and 0.01% atropine on astigmatism: a two-year clinical trial

  • Ming Wang,
  • Can Cui,
  • Yao Sui,
  • Shi-Ao Yu,
  • Jing-Xue Ma,
  • Ai-Cun Fu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-022-02385-z
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Abstract Background To evaluate the effects of 0.02% and 0.01% atropine eye drops on ocular and corneal astigmatism over 2 years. Methods A prospective clinic-controlled trail. The cohort study assessed 400 myopic children and divided them into three groups: 138 and 142 children were randomized to use either 0.02% or 0.01% atropine eye drops, respectively. They wore single-vision (SV) spectacles, with one drop of atropine applied to both eyes once nightly. Control children (n = 120) only wore SV spectacles. Spherical equivalent refractive errors (SER) and corneal curvature were measured every 4 months. The SER and corneal curvature were assessed by cycloplegic autorefraction and IOLMaster. Ocular and corneal astigmatism were calculated by Thibos vector analysis and then split into its power vector components, J0 (with-the-rule astigmatism) and J45 (oblique). Results After 2 years, the ocular astigmatism increased by -0.38 ± 0.29 D, -0.47 ± 0.38 D, -0.41 ± 0.35 D in the 0.02%, 0.01% atropine groups and control group, respectively (p = 0.15). The corresponding corneal astigmatism increased by -0.20 ± 0.34 D, -0.28 ± 0.35 D and -0.26 ± 0.26 D (p = 0.18). The ocular astigmatism J0 increased by 0.19 ± 0.28 D, 0.22 ± 0.36 D, 0.18 ± 0.31 D in the 0.02% atropine, 0.01% atropine and control groups, respectively (p = 0.65). The corresponding corneal astigmatism J0 increased by -0.05 ± 0.34 D, -0.11 ± 0.37 D and -0.13 ± 0.30 D (p = 0.23). There was a small but significant increase in ocular astigmatism (including J0) (all P 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the changes in ocular astigmatism (including J0) among the three groups. Conclusions Treatment with 0.02% and 0.01% atropine had no clinically significant effect on ocular and corneal astigmatism over 2 years. Trial registration The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, ChiCTR-IPD-16008844 . Registered 14/07/2016.

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