May 14, 2024

Unexpected Results From Myopia (Nearsightedness) Eye Drop Treatment Trial

A study by the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group discovered that low-dose atropine eyedrops (0.01%) were no more effective than placebo in slowing the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in kids over two years. Usage of low-dose atropine eyedrops (concentration 0.01%) was no better than placebo at slowing myopia (nearsightedness) development and elongation of the eye amongst kids treated for two years, according to a randomized regulated trial conducted by the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG) and moneyed by the National Eye Institute (NEI). Much more powerful concentrations of atropine eyedrops (0.5-1.0%) have long been utilized by pediatric eye medical professionals to slow myopia progression. For the study, 187 children ages 5 to 12 years with low-to-moderate bilateral myopia were randomly designated to utilize nighttime atropine (0.01%) (125 kids) or placebo (62 kids) eyedrops for 2 years. After the treatment duration, and 6 months after treatment stopped, there were no substantial differences in between the groups in terms of modifications in degree of myopia compared with baseline.

Significantly, the findings contradict results from current trials, mainly in East Asia, which revealed a benefit from 0.01% atropine in slowing myopia.
” The total combined outcomes on low-dose atropine show us we require more research study. Would combining atropine with other strategies have a synergistic result?
Recognizing an optimal method for preventing high (advanced) myopia is urgently needed given the escalating prevalence of myopia total and the danger of it progressing to high myopia. By 2030, its predicted that 39 million individuals in the U.S. will have myopia. By 2050, that number is expected to grow to 44 million in the U.S. and to 50% of the worldwide population..
Much more powerful concentrations of atropine eyedrops (0.5-1.0%) have long been utilized by pediatric eye doctors to slow myopia development. While reliable, such doses trigger light sensitivity and fuzzy near vision while on the nighttime eyedrops. Therefore, there is interest in scientific studies evaluating lower concentrations that have actually been revealed to have fewer side impacts.

A research study by the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group found that low-dose atropine eyedrops (0.01%) disappeared reliable than placebo in slowing the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in kids over 2 years. The findings contradict previous trials mainly conducted in East Asia, recommending that racial differences might affect atropine response. The results underscore the need for more research to handle this increasingly typical eye condition.
NIH-funded trial highlights the requirement for more research study to avoid high myopia.
A two-year randomized controlled trial performed by the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG), funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), found that low-dose atropine eyedrops (0.01% concentration) were not more effective than placebo in slowing myopia development in kids. This contradicts findings from current studies mainly in East Asia, which suggested that 0.01% atropine can decrease myopia.
Use of low-dose atropine eyedrops (concentration 0.01%) was no better than placebo at slowing myopia (nearsightedness) progression and elongation of the eye amongst children dealt with for two years, according to a randomized controlled trial conducted by the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG) and funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI). The trial intended to recognize an efficient way to manage this leading and progressively typical reason for refractive error, which can trigger serious uncorrectable vision loss later in life. Results from the trial were published in JAMA Ophthalmology.

” The lack of a treatment advantage in our U.S.-based study, compared with East Asian studies, may reflect racial differences in atropine action. The research study registered less Asian kids, whose myopia advances faster, and consisted of Black children, whose myopia advances less quickly compared to other races,” kept in mind the studys lead co-author, Michael X. Repka, M.D., teacher of ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University.
For the research study, 187 kids ages 5 to 12 years with low-to-moderate bilateral myopia were arbitrarily appointed to use nighttime atropine (0.01%) (125 kids) or placebo (62 kids) eyedrops for 2 years. After the treatment period, and 6 months after treatment stopped, there were no considerable distinctions between the groups in terms of changes in degree of myopia compared with standard.
” Its possible that a various concentration of atropine is required for U.S. children to experience a benefit,” noted the research studys other lead co-author, Katherine K. Weise, O.D., teacher, University of Alabama at Birmingham. “Clinical scientists might assess new pharmaceuticals and unique wavelengths of light in combination with optical strategies, like unique glasses or contact lenses, to see what operate in lowering the progression of myopia.”.
Amongst kids, myopia will support in about half of kids around age 16 years, and among a significantly larger portion as they get older. By their early twenties, about 10% of people with myopia will continue to grow more nearsighted, and by age 24 years that percentage is 4%.
” Vision scientists may assist us figure out whats different about the myopic eye, even among various races and ethnic cultures, to assist develop brand-new treatment methods,” she said. It will take a real convergence of eye research study to fix the ecological, hereditary, and structural mystery of myopia.”.
Reference: “Randomized trial of low-dose atropine eyedrops for myopia control” by Repka MX, Weise KK, Chandler DL, Wu R, Melia BM, Manny RE, Kehler LAF, Jordan CO, Raghuram A, Summers AI, Lee KA, Petersen DB, Erzurum SA, Pang Y, Lenhart PD, Ticho BH, Beck RW, Kraker RT, Holmes JM, Cotter SA, on behalf of the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group, 13 July 2023, JAMA Ophthalmology.DOI: 10.1001/ jamaophthalmol.2023.2855.
PEDIG is a collective network of pediatric eye doctors and pediatric eye doctors devoted to performing multi-center trials on eye conditions that impact kids. The trial was funded by the NEI grants EY11751, EY18810 and EY23198. The ClinicalTrials.gov identifier is NCT03334253.