Myopia and Refractive Error in Children: The Effect of 0.01% Low-Concentration Atropine

Spring 2025 update:
The 0.01% low-concentration atropine has ended.
We now use Ryjusea® Mini ophthalmic solution 0.025%.

Myopia and Refractive Error in Children: The Effect of 0.01% Low-Concentration Atropine

Myopia can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, but in high myopia with an elongated axial length (a deeper eye), the risk of early onset of retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma is known to rise.

Atropine paralyzes the ciliary muscle (the muscle that focuses the eye) and is known to slow myopia progression by suppressing elongation of the axial length, and various results have been reported. With the current 1% atropine eye drops, side effects such as blurred vision from pupil dilation (mydriasis) and fever make them difficult to use in practice.

A study that began in Singapore in 2006 in 400 children aged 6 to 12 found that eye drops of atropine diluted to 0.01% significantly slowed myopia after 5 years (Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, February 2016).

This study also had limits to treatment: it noted that 9.3% of the 0.01% atropine group showed no effect in the first 2 years.

With the cooperation of many parties, we have been able to prepare 0.01% atropine eye drops.

With atropine diluted 100-fold, side effects such as pupil dilation and fever are almost never reported.

If you are interested, please consult us. Thank you for your continued support.

» Low-Dose Atropine for Kids with Myopia(Low-dose atropine therapy for myopia in children)

Five-Year Clinical Trial on Atropine for the Treatment of Myopia 2

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2015.07.004

Ophthalmology. 2016 Feb;123(2):391-9.

» Seven items for preventing myopia progression in schoolchildren | Japanese Society of Myopia Research

[0.01% atropine eye drops]

• There are no reports of allergic conjunctivitis or dermatitis.
• They do not affect intraocular pressure (IOP).
• There are no reports of cataract formation.
• There are no reports of reduced accommodation or of the pupil staying dilated after stopping the drops.
• There are no reports of effects on retinal function in electrophysiology.
• Continued use for at least 2 years is recommended.

(Precautions)
○ Instill only one drop before bed and lightly press the inner corner of the eye (do not instill 2 or more drops).
○ Keep the 0.01% atropine eye drops clean and be sure to discard them after 1 month.
○ Please keep to the return interval specified by your doctor.
○ You may sometimes feel glare.
○ If you notice anything unusual, stop the eye drops and be sure to see a doctor.

　* Myopine®is now also available. Please contact us for details.

Addendum:
“Myopia Boom” (April 24, 2019)

» “Myopia Boom”