Treatment of progressive myopia with 0.01% Atropine in children and adolescents: an Italian 4-year follow-up study.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of atropine 0.01% in slowing the progression of myopia in young patients. Methods: 2,387 patients with progressive myopia (more than -0.50 spherical diopters increased in the last year) were enrolled. They received, every evening, one drop of atropine 0.01% in each eye. Refraction was then measured at baseline (T0) and once a year (T1, T2, T3, T4) for a 4-years follow-up period, and compared with a non-treated control group. Results: A reduction in the myopic progression was observed in the treated group respect to the control one. The average spherical refraction after 4 years increased by 27.06% in the treated group versus 241% of the control one. The difference in spherical increase between the two groups respect to time 0 was appreciable already at the first control, (T1 -T0, -0.21D vs. -1D) and continued to increase for all the 4-years follow-up period (T2-T0, -0.38D vs. -1.91D;T3-T0, -0.52D vs. -2.74D; T4-T0, -0.73D vs. -3.63D, respectively). It was always significant (P<0.01). Compared to the previous year, the average spherical increase was quite stable in the two groups (0.17 vs. 0.87, respectively). No significant tachyphylaxis or adverse effects were observed throughout the examination period. Conclusions: 0.01% atropine was effective in slowing the progression of myopia in the treated group vs. control one. The clinical effect was noticeable already from the first control, and continued for all the observation period. The results of this study agree with those already reported in literature, and confirm the validity of this treatment.

Baseline factors associated with myopia progression and axial elongation over 30 months in children 5 to 12 years of age.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify baseline factors associated with greater myopia progression and axial elongation in children with myopia. METHODS: This study performed a post hoc analysis of data from a 30-month randomized trial of atropine 0.01% versus placebo in children 5 to <13 years old with baseline spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) of -1.00 to -6.00 D, astigmatism of ≤1.50 D, and anisometropia of <1.00 D SER. Data from atropine 0.01% and placebo groups were pooled given outcomes were similar. Baseline factors of age, SER, axial length, race, sex, parental myopia, and iris color were evaluated for association with changes in SER and with changes in axial length at 30 months (24 months on treatment and then 6 months off) using backward model selection. RESULTS: Among 187 randomized participants, 175 (94%) completed 30 months of follow-up. The mean change in SER was greater among younger children (-0.19 D per 1 year younger; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.25 to -0.14 D; p<0.001) and children with higher myopia (-0.14 D per 1 D more myopia at baseline; 95% CI, -0.23 to -0.05 D; p=0.002). The mean change in axial length was also greater among younger children (0.13 mm per 1 year younger; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.15 mm; p<0.001) and children with higher baseline myopia (0.04 mm per 1 D more myopia; 95% CI, 0.002 to 0.08; p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Younger children with higher myopia had greater myopic progression and axial elongation over 30 months than older children with lower myopia. Developing effective treatments to slow the faster myopic progression in younger children should be a target of further research.

Myopia Control in Caucasian Children with 0.01% Atropine Eye Drops: 1-Year Follow-Up Study.

Background and Objectives: Myopia is the most widespread ocular disorder globally and its prevalence has been increasing over the past decades. Atropine eye drops stand out as the only pharmacological intervention used in clinical practice to control myopia progression. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of 0.01% atropine eye drops on myopia progression. Patients and Methods: Healthy children aged 6-12 years with cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE) from -0.5 D to -5.0 D and astigmatism ≤1.5 D were included. Myopia progression was assessed by changes in SE and axial length (AL) over 1 year and SE changes 1 year before the study enrollment and during the 1-year follow-up. Adverse events were evaluated based on complaints reported by either parents or the children themselves during follow-up visits. Results: The analysis involved 55 patients in the 0.01% atropine eye drops group and 66 in the control group. After the 1-year follow-up, the change in SE was -0.50 (-2.25-0.50) D in the control group compared to -0.50 (-1.50-0.50) D in the 0.01% atropine group (p = 0.935); AL change was 0.31 (0.18) mm in the control group and 0.29 (0.18) mm in the 0.01% atropine group (p = 0.480). The change in SE was -0.68 (-2.0--0.25) D/year before the study and remained similar -0.50 (-2.25-0.25) D over the 1-year follow-up in the control group (p = 0.111); SE change was reduced from -1.01 (-2.0--0.25) D/year before the study to -0.50 (-1.5-0.5) D over the 1-year follow-up in the 0.01% atropine group (p < 0.001). In the 0.01% atropine group, ten (16.4%) children experienced mild adverse events, including blurred near vision, ocular discomfort, photophobia, dry eyes, and anisocoria. Conclusions: Compared to the control group, the administration of 0.01% atropine eye drops demonstrated no significant effect on changes in SE and AL over a 1-year follow-up. However, children in the 0.01% atropine group initially experienced higher myopia progression, which decreased with treatment over the course of 1 year. Future studies should explore the long-term effects, rebound effects, potential genetic associations, and efficacy of higher doses of atropine in managing myopia progression.

N-acetylcysteine as a potentially safe adjuvant in the treatment of neurotoxicity due to pirimiphos-methyl poisoning.

Exogenous, well-established antioxidant N-acetylcysteine can reduce or prevent the deleterious effects of pesticides. In this study, utilizing a mouse model of daily single dose of N-acetylcysteine administration, we investigated the impact of this adjuvant on the treatment with atropine and/or obidoxime as well as oxidative stress response in pyrimiphos-methyl-induced toxicity. We found that N-acetylcysteine significantly reduces the oxidative stress generated by pyrimiphos-methyl. The therapy consisting of atropine and/or obidoxime routinely used in organophosphorous insecticide poisonings, including pyrimiphos-methyl, had no effect on the antioxidant properties of N-acetylcysteine. Adjunctive treatment offered by N-acetylcysteine fills therapeutic gap and may provide the full potential against pyrimiphos-methyl-induced toxicity.

Efficacy and safety of 0.01% atropine combined with orthokeratology lens in delaying juvenile myopia: An observational study.

It aims to study the efficacy and safety of low-concentration Atropine combined with orthokeratology (OK) lens in delaying juvenile myopia. This is a prospective study, 172 adolescents aged 8 to 12 years who were admitted to the diopter department of Hengshui People Hospital from April 2021 to May 2022 were selected. According to the equivalent spherical diopter measured at the time of initial diagnosis, myopic patients were randomly divided into low myopia group (group A) and moderate myopia group (group B). At the same time, according to the different treatment methods, the patients were divided into the group wearing frame glasses alone (group c), the group wearing frame glasses with low-concentration Atropine (group d), the group wearing corneal shaping glasses alone at night (group e), and the group wearing corneal shaping glasses at night with low-concentration Atropine (group f). The control effect of myopia development and axial elongation in group f was better than that in groups d and e (P < .05). The effect of controlling myopia development and axial elongation in group f is with P > .05. The probability of postoperative adverse reactions in group f was lower and lower than that in the other groups. Low-concentration atropine combined with OK lens could effectively delay the development of juvenile myopia, and had a high safety. Low-concentration of Atropine would not have a significant impact on the basic tear secretion and tear film stability. Nightwear of OK lens also had no significant impact, but it would significantly reduce the tear film rupture time in the first 3 months, and at the same time, the tear film rupture time would be the same after 6 months as before treatment.

Prolonged hypotony maculopathy following uneventful strabismus surgery.

Hypotony is a rare postoperative complication of strabismus surgery. Resolution has been reported to occur within 1 month of surgery. Here, we describe the case of a 14-year-old boy with prolonged hypotony maculopathy following uneventful bilateral medial rectus recession. The hypotony resolved without long-term sequela after 7 months of treatment with topical steroids and atropine. Ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed a ciliary body effusion, which we hypothesize was the cause of decreased aqueous humor production and hypotony.

Effectiveness of atropine in managing sialorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the efficacy of atropine in controlling salivary flow in patients with sialorrhea or drooling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included randomized controlled studies, quasi-randomized trials, case reports, clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses assessing the use of atropine in patients with sialorrhea or drooling. The endpoints were reduction in salivary flow rate, amount of saliva secreted, reduction in clinical symptoms of sialorrhea, death rattle intensity, or reduction in drooling intensity as measured by an objective scale such as the drooling intensity scale. RESULTS: A total of 56 studies with 2,378 patients were included in the systematic review. The underlying disease states included brain injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebral palsy, clozapine- and perphenazine-induced sialorrhea, Parkinson's disease, and terminal illness. The routes of atropine administration included sublingual, intravenous, subcutaneous, oral tablet or solution, and direct injection of atropine into parotid glands or at the base of the tongue. The generalized estimated equation regression models showed that sublingual administration is superior to oral and subcutaneous routes. CONCLUSION: Atropine is efficacious in managing sialorrhea in most disease states. Sublingual administration of atropine is superior to other routes of administration in reducing salivary flow in patients with sialorrhea.

Comparison of the long-term effects of atropine in combination with Orthokeratology and defocus incorporated multiple segment lenses for myopia control in Chinese children and adolescents.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Orthokeratology (Ortho-K), defocus incorporated multiple segment (DIMS) lens, combined Ortho-K/atropine, and combined DIMS/atropine for myopia control in children. METHODS: A retrospective study included 167 myopic children aged 6-14 years with a spherical equivalent refraction (SER) of -0.75 to -4.00 diopter treated with Ortho-K (OK, n = 41), combined Ortho-K/atropine (OKA, n = 43), DIMS (n = 41), or combined DIMS/atropine (DIMSA, n = 42). Axial length (AL) was measured at baseline and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Axial elongation over time and between groups were analysed. RESULTS: After 12 months, the AL change was 0.20 ± 0.12 mm, 0.12 ± 0.14 mm, 0.22 ± 0.14 mm, and 0.15 ± 0.15 mm in the OK, OKA, DIMS, and DIMSA, respectively. There was no significant difference in AL change between OK and DIMS. OKA and DIMSA significantly slowed axial elongation compared to OK and DIMS monotherapy. After stratification by age, in the subgroup aged 6-10 years, there was significant difference in AL change between OKA and DIMS (p = 0.013), and no difference between other groups, while in the subgroup aged 10-14 years, the difference between OKA and DIMS became insignificant (p = 0.237), and the difference between OK and OKA, OK and DIMSA, DIMS and DIMSA became significant. CONCLUSIONS: Ortho-K and DIMS lenses show similar reductions in myopia progression among children with low initial myopia. Atropine can significantly improve the efficacy of myopia control of both Ortho-K and DIMS lenses, and this add-on effect is better in older children.

Low-dose atropine 0.01% for the treatment of childhood myopia: a pan-India multicentric retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of low-dose atropine 0.01% in controlling myopia progression among Indian children over a 2-year period. METHODS: This retrospective study, conducted across 20 centres in India, monitored the progression of myopia over 2 years after initiating treatment with 0.01% atropine eye drops. This included children between 6 and 14 years with baseline myopia ranging from -0.5 D to -6 D, astigmatism≤-1.5 D, anisometropia ≤ -1 D and documented myopia progression of ≥0.5 D in the year prior to starting atropine. Subjects with any other ocular pathologies were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 732 children were included in the data analysis. The mean age of the subjects was 9.3±2.7 years. The mean myopia progression at baseline (1 year before starting atropine) was -0.75±0.31 D. The rate of myopia progression was higher in younger subjects and those with higher baseline myopic error. After initiating atropine, myopia progression significantly decreased to -0.27±0.14 D at the end of the first year and -0.24±0.15 D at the end of the second year (p<0.001). Younger children (p<0.001) and higher baseline myopia (p<0.001) was associated with greater myopia progression and poor treatment response (p<0.001 for both). CONCLUSION: Low-dose atropine (0.01%) effectively reduces myopia progression over 2 years in Indian children.

Optical interventions for myopia control.

A range of optical interventions have been developed to slow the progression of myopia. This review summarizes key studies and their outcomes. Peer-reviewed, randomized controlled clinical trials of at least 18 months duration were identified. Randomized clinical trials were identified and summarised: 13 for spectacles, 5 for overnight orthokeratology, 5 for soft contact lenses, and 3 for orthokeratology combined with low concentration atropine. Overnight orthokeratology trials were the most consistent with 2-year slowing of axial elongation between 0.24 and 0.32 mm. Other modalities were more variable due to the wide range of optical designs. Among spectacle interventions, progressive addition lenses were the least effective, slowing axial elongation and myopia progression by no more than 0.11 mm and 0.31 D, respectively. In contrast, novel designs with peripheral lenslets slow 2-year elongation and progression by up to 0.35 mm and 0.80 D. Among soft contact lens interventions, medium add concentric bifocals slow 3-year elongation and progression by only 0.07 mm and 0.16 D, while a dual-focus design slows 3-year elongation and progression by 0.28 mm and 0.67 D. In summary, all three optical interventions have the potential to significantly slow myopia progression. Quality of vision is largely unaffected, and safety is satisfactory. Areas of uncertainty include the potential for post-treatment acceleration of progression and the benefit of adding atropine to optical interventions.

Comparison of the clinical efficacy of orthokeratology and 0.01% atropine for retardation of myopia progression in myopic children.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of orthokeratology (ortho-k) and 0.01% atropine for retardation of myopia progression in myopic children. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 282 patients, aged 8-17 years, were enrolled, including 100 children treated with ortho-k, 84 with 0.01% atropine, and 98 with single-vision spectacles. During the follow-up of 1 year, ortho-k wearers were examined at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months after treatment, and thereafter every 3 months, while the others were examined every 3 months by measurements of uncorrected vision, intraocular pressure, refractive power, slit-lamp microscopy, corneal topography, and the lens fitting when necessary. The axial length was measured every 6 months. RESULTS: Patients with ortho-k had stable uncorrected vision after 1 month of lens wear, all reaching 0 logMAR. The annual axial elongation was 0.23 ± 0.19 mm, 0.22 ± 0.20 mm, and 0.39 ± 0.27 mm in the ortho-k, atropine, and spectacle groups, respectively, with significant difference (F = 23.251, P = 0.000). The axial length was delayed to increase by 41.03% and 43.59% within a year in patients with ortho-k and atropine, respectively, as compared to patients with spectacles (F = 0.006, P = 0.936). The elongation was ≤ 0.3 mm in 69.0% and 66.7% of patients in the two groups, respectively, versus 38.8% in the spectacle group (χ2 = 17.251, P = 0.000). During the follow-up, the rate of corneal staining was 11.0% and 2.0% in the ortho-k and spectacle groups, respectively (χ2 = 8.076, P = 0.003). The use of atropine did not increase corneal staining, but the incidence of related photophobia was 4.8%. No other serious complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Ortho-k lenses and 0.01% atropine can achieve similar efficacy of myopia retardation, which was significantly better than that obtained with single-vision spectacles, in myopic children. The risk of corneal staining after ortho-k wear may be slightly higher than that with spectacles, but could be well controlled.

Efficacy of the oxime HI-6 dimethanesulphonate in the treatment of guinea-pigs exposed to the nerve agents GB and GD.

The bispyridinium oxime HI-6 DMS is in development as an improved therapy for the treatment of patients exposed to organophosphorus nerve agents. The aim of the work described in this paper was to provide non-clinical data to support regulatory approval of HI-6 DMS, by demonstrating efficacy against an oxime-sensitive agent, GB and an oxime-resistant agent, GD. We investigated the dose-dependent protection afforded by therapy including atropine, avizafone and HI-6 DMS in guinea-pigs challenged with GB or GD. We also compared the efficacy of 30 mg.kg-1 of HI-6 DMS to an equimolar dose of the current in-service oxime P2S and the dichloride salt of HI-6 (HI-6 Cl2). In the treatment of GB or GD poisoning there was no significant difference between the salt forms. The most effective dose of HI-6 DMS in preventing lethality following challenge with GB was 100 mg.kg-1; though protection ratios of at least 25 were obtained at 10 mg.kg-1. Protection against GD was lower, and there was no significant increase in effectiveness of HI-6 DMS doses of 30 or 100 mg.kg-1. For GD, the outcome was improved by the addition of pyridostigmine pre-treatment. These data demonstrate the benefits of HI-6 DMS as a component of nerve agent therapy. © Crown copyright (2023), Dstl.

Low concentration atropine and myopia: a narrative review of the evidence for United Kingdom based practitioners.

The prevalence of myopia is increasing across the world. Controlling myopia progression would be beneficial to reduce adverse outcomes such as retinal detachment and myopic maculopathy which are associated with increased axial length. Pharmacological control of myopia progression with atropine has been investigated since the 19th century and the benefits of slowing myopia progression are considered against the side-effects of near blur and photophobia. More recently, randomised trials have focused on determining the optimum concentration of atropine leading to low-concentration atropine being used to manage myopia progression by practitioners across the world. Currently, in the United Kingdom, there is no licensed pharmacological intervention for myopia management. The aim of this review is to interpret the available data to inform clinical practice. We conducted a narrative review of the literature and identified peer-reviewed randomised controlled trials using the search terms 'myopia' and 'atropine', limited to the English language. We identified two key studies, which were the Atropine in the Treatment Of Myopia (ATOM) and Low-concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP). Further studies were identified using the above search terms and the references from the identified literature. Atropine 0.01% has a modest effect on controlling axial length progression. Atropine 0.05% appears to be superior to atropine 0.01% in managing myopia progression. There is a dose-dependent rebound effect when treatment is stopped. Atropine is a well-tolerated, safe, and effective intervention. Treatment would be needed for several years and into adolescence, until axial length progression is stable.

Evaluation and Comparison of the Effectiveness of Atropine Eye Drops, Ipratropium Bromide Nasal Spray, and Amitriptyline Tablet in the Management of Clozapine-Associated Sialorrhea in Patients With Refractory Schizophrenia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: Clozapine, a second-generation antipsychotic medication, is mainly indicated for managing treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Among all the nonthreatening adverse effects of clozapine, sialorrhea is a stigmatizing complication occurring in approximately 31.0% to 97.4% of patients. In this study, 2 topical agents (atropine eye drop and ipratropium nasal spray) and a systemic medication (amitriptyline) were compared simultaneously for the management of clozapine-associated sialorrhea. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, single-blinded, non-placebo-controlled clinical trial from June 2022 to January 2023. Eligible patients were randomly allocated into 3 mentioned groups. Patients were monitored for sialorrhea weekly based on scales, including the Toronto Nocturnal Hypersalivation Scale, Clinical Global Impression-Improvement, and Clinical Global Impression-Severity for 1 month. Possible adverse drug reactions and adherence were also recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients, including 6, 10, and 8 individuals in ipratropium bromide nasal spray, atropine eye drop, and amitriptyline groups, completed the study, respectively. The cohort's demographic, baseline clinical, and sociocultural characteristics were comparable among the 3 groups. Within-group comparisons, between times baseline and week 4, demonstrated that significant differences were in groups atropine and amitriptyline based on Toronto Nocturnal Hypersalivation Scale, in 3 groups based on Clinical Global Impression-Improvement, and also in only-atropine group based on Clinical Global Impression-Severity. Likewise, between-group comparisons showed that atropine was significantly more effective in clozapine-associated sialorrhea management than amitriptyline and ipratropium, in the first 2 weeks and second 2 weeks of study, respectively. Regarding safety, the interventions were tolerated relatively well. CONCLUSIONS: Conclusively, atropine is more efficacious than amitriptyline, within the first 2 weeks of study and also relative to ipratropium, overall. As time effect was significant between atropine and amitriptyline, according to analysis of covariance test, further investigation with longer follow-up duration would be prudent. In addition, expanding patient population with larger sample size should be conducted for more precision.

[Belladonna (Atropine), in The Labours of Hercules].

The Labours of Hercules, written by Agatha Christie, contains twelve short stories, with 'atropine' playing a crucial role in the seventh story, The Cretan Bull (1939). Atropine easily crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB), leading to central nervous system (CNS) side effects such as delirium, hallucinations, disorientation, memory problems, coma or stupor, and convulsive seizures when overdosed. In this episode, a concentrated form of atropine obtained from prescribed eye drops was misused to induce a hereditary incurable neurodegenerative disorder, similar to Huntington's Chorea, in the client's fiancée. However, Mr. Poirot discerned this by careful examination of his symptoms and resolved the case.

Protocol for a parallel assignment prospective, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of 0.01% atropine for near work-induced transient myopia and myopic progression in China.

INTRODUCTION: Assessment of near work-induced transient myopia (NITM) is important for permanent myopia development and progression. Atropine eye drop has been reported to be beneficial in reducing initial NITM and slowing down myopic progression. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of 0.01% atropine in treating NITM and its possible association with the progression of refractive change in Chinese myopic children. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The study is designed as a parallel assignment prospective, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial conducted at He Eye Specialist Hospital in Shenyang, China. One hundred fifty participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive 0.01% atropine or placebo eye drop once nightly bilaterally for 1 year. Initial NITM, cycloplegic refraction, axial length, best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure and pupil diameter will be measured at baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks and 48 weeks. Visual Function Questionnaire will be administered at baseline and each follow-up visit. Adverse events also will be monitored and documented at each subsequent follow-up visit. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: A parallel assignment prospective, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of 0.01% atropine for near work-induced transient myopia and myopic progression registered on 10 September 2023. Ethics approval number: IRB (2023) K025.01. The study's findings will be shared regardless of the effect's direction. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT06034366.

Atropine does not prevent hypoxemia and bradycardia in tracheal intubation in the pediatric emergency department: observational study.

OBJECTIVE: The benefit of atropine in pediatric tracheal intubation is not well established. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of atropine on the incidence of hypoxemia and bradycardia during tracheal intubations in the pediatric emergency department. METHODS: This is a single-center observational study in a tertiary pediatric emergency department. Data were collected on all tracheal intubations in patients from 31 days to incomplete 20 years old, performed between January 2016 and September 2020. Procedures were divided into two groups according to the use or not of atropine as a premedication during intubation. Records with missing data, patients with cardiorespiratory arrest, cyanotic congenital heart diseases, and those with chronic lung diseases with baseline hypoxemia were excluded. The primary outcome was hypoxemia (peripheral oxygen saturation ≤88%), while the secondary outcomes were bradycardia (decrease in heart rate >20% between the maximum and minimum values) and critical bradycardia (heart rate <60 bpm) during intubation procedure. RESULTS: A total of 151 tracheal intubations were identified during the study period, of which 126 were eligible. Of those, 77% had complex, chronic underlying diseases. Atropine was administered to 43 (34.1%) patients and was associated with greater odds of hypoxemia in univariable analysis (OR: 2.62; 95%CI 1.15-6.16; p=0.027) but not in multivariable analysis (OR: 2.07; 95%CI 0.42-10.32; p=0.37). Critical bradycardia occurred in only three patients, being two in the atropine group (p=0.26). Bradycardia was analyzed in only 42 procedures. Atropine use was associated with higher odds of bradycardia in multivariable analysis (OR: 11.00; 95%CI 1.3-92.8; p=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Atropine as a premedication in tracheal intubation did not prevent the occurrence of hypoxemia or bradycardia during intubation procedures in pediatric emergency.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Myopia Progression Interventions in Children.

Importance: Several interventions exist for treating myopia progression in children. While these interventions' efficacy has been studied, their cost-effectiveness remains unknown and has not been compared. Objective: To determine cost-effective options for controlling myopia progression in children. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this cost-effectiveness analysis, a Markov model was designed to compare the cost-effectiveness of interventions for controlling myopia progression over 5 years from a societal perspective in a simulated hypothetical cohort of patients aged 10 years with myopia. Myopia interventions considered included atropine eye drops, 0.05% and 0.01%, defocus incorporated multiple segment spectacles, outdoor activity, soft contact lenses (daily disposable and multifocal), rigid gas-permeable contact lenses, progressive addition lenses, bifocal spectacle lenses, orthokeratology, highly aspherical lenslets (HALs), and red light therapy; all interventions were compared with single-vision lenses. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis determined the association of model uncertainties with the cost-effectiveness. Costs were obtained from the charges of the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong and The Chinese University of Hong Kong Eye Center. Main Outcome and Measures: The mean costs (in US dollars) per child included the cost of hospital visits, medications, and optical lenses. The outcomes of effectiveness were the annual spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AL) reductions. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated for each strategy relative to single-vision lenses over a time horizon of 5 years. Results: Outdoor activity, atropine (0.05%), red light therapy, HALs, and orthokeratology were cost-effective. The ICER of atropine, 0.05%, was US $220/SER reduction; red light therapy, US $846/SER reduction; and HALs, US $448/SER reduction. Outdoor activity yielded a savings of US $5/SER reduction and US $8/AL reduction. Orthokeratology resulted in an ICER of US $2376/AL reduction. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that atropine eye drops, 0.05%, and outdoor activity are cost-effective for controlling myopia progression in children. Though more expensive, red light therapy, HALs, and orthokeratology may also be cost-effective. The use of these interventions may help to control myopia in a cost-effective way.

Observation of the effect of posterior scleral reinforcement combined with orthokeratology and 0.01% atropine in the treatment of congenital myopia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Myopia has recently emerged as a significant threat to global public health. The high and pathological myopia in children and adolescents could result in irreversible damage to eye tissues and severe impairment of visual function without timely control. Posterior scleral reinforcement (PSR) can effectively control the progression of high myopia by limiting posterior scleral expansion, improving retrobulbar vascular perfusion, thereby stabilizing the axial length and refraction of the eye. Moreover, orthokeratology and low concentrations of atropine are also effective in slowing myopia progression. CASE PRESENTATION: A female child was diagnosed with binocular congenital myopia and amblyopia at the age of 3 and the patient's vision had never been rectified with spectacles at the first consultation. The patient's ophthalmological findings suggested, high refractive error with low best corrected visual acuity, longer axial length beyond the standard level of her age, and fundus examination suggesting posterior scleral staphyloma with weakened hemodynamics of the posterior ciliary artery. Thereby, PSR was performed to improve fundus health and the combination of orthokeratology and 0.01% atropine were performed to control the development of myopia. Following up to 8 years of clinical treatment and observations, the progression of myopia could be well controlled and fundus health was stable. CONCLUSION: In this report, 8-year of clinical observation indicated that PSR could improve choroidal thickness and hemodynamic parameters of the retrobulbar vessels, postoperative orthokeratology combined with 0.01% atropine treatment strategy may be a good choice for myopia control effectively.