EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF LOW DOSE ATROPINE 0.01% IN SLOWING OF PROGRESSION OF MYOPIA

Background: Myopia, commonly referred to as short sightedness is a form of refractive error and is a very common cause of visual disability throughout the world. Methods: Hospital based prospective study conducted on 100 patients of Myopia attending to Department of Opthalmolgy. Results: There was no significant difference in the age, gender distribution, baseline myopia progression or follow-up duration between patients who used night application compared with daytime atropine. Effectiveness was better with daytime application. Conclusion: 1% atropine eye drops were well tolerated and efficacious for the retardation of progressive myopia in Indian eyes. Effectiveness was better with daytime application. Further studies are necessary to assess the role of 1% atropine in the rapid progressors and patients poorly responding to low-dose atropine. Keywords: Myopia, Atropine, low dose.