Eye drops may prevent nearsightedness in children

Researchers have discovered that using a low-dose eye drop every day in children while they are growing can prevent the progression of myopia.

In a five-year trial, 400 children aged 6 to 12 were given daily eye drops containing atropine.

Atropine is a drug that has been used by ophthalmologists for many years, both for examinations because it keeps the pupil dilated, and to treat "lazy eye" - an eye that does not develop properly.

Researchers discovered that drops containing the lowest concentration of atropine, just 0.01%, slowed the progression of myopia by 50% compared with children who did not use the eye drops.

Low doses of atropine appear to be more effective and also cause fewer side effects, including photosensitivity, than the same drug at higher concentrations.

"We have known for a long time that atropine can prevent myopia from getting worse. We now have data to show that it not only works, but is also safe. Treatment with these eye drops could be a great ally in our fight to stop myopia from seriously impairing the vision of children around the world," said Dr Donald Tan from the Singapore Eye Research Institute.

Experts increasingly believe that the rapid increase in nearsightedness in both children and adults worldwide is linked to a lack of exposure to sunlight.

According to vietnamnet