Whether EIKANCE 0.01% atropine sulfate eye drops can be used to control the progression of myopia and its efficacy evaluation

0.01% atropine sulfate eye drops (EIKANCE), as a low-concentration atropine preparation, has received widespread attention in recent years in controlling the progression of myopia in children. Atropine itself is a non-selective cholinergic inhibitor that blocks the parasympathetic regulation of the ciliary muscle, causing the pupil to slightly dilate and slightly weaken its regulation, thus changing the signaling mechanism of eyeball growth. Current research and clinical practice on 0.01% this low-concentration atropine eye drop shows that it has certain efficacy in delaying the growth of myopia axial length and diopter deepening. At the same time, compared with high-concentration atropine, its side effects are significantly reduced, making long-term use more feasible.

In terms of evaluation of the efficacy of myopia control, multiple randomized controlled studies and real-world observations have shown that pediatric patients who use 0.01% atropine sulfate eye drops have a significantly slower progression rate of myopia within 1 years than non-users. For example, in the 12 months of follow-up, the increase in average spherical power in the 0.01% atropine group was significantly smaller than that in the control group, and the growth in axial length was also significantly suppressed. This means that the drug can be used as an adjunctive intervention to slow the progression of myopia, helping to reduce the risk of future high myopia and related complications.

Compared with traditional methods such as frame-based visual training and orthokeratology lenses, 0.01% The biggest advantage of atropine eye drops lies in its biochemical mechanism of action. It is not only involved in regulating the regulatory response of intraocular muscles, but may also weaken the posterior segment stretch signal related to myopia progression by affecting retinal signal transduction, uveal pigment epithelial cells, and metabolism of outer retinal cells. Although the specific mechanisms are still under investigation, clinical results are sufficient to support its use as part of myopia control strategies.

Although 0.01% Atropine has shown positive effects in controlling the progression of myopia, but there are individual differences in efficacy. Some patients may have significant effects in the early stages of treatment, while others may have milder effects. This is related to factors such as genetic background, environmental eye habits, and outdoor activity time. Therefore, clinically it is usually recommended to combine comprehensive intervention strategies, including increasing outdoor activities, reducing the time of close eye use, and taking reasonable eye breaks, to improve the overall myopia control effect. In addition, changes in refraction and axial length should be regularly monitored during use, and mild side effects such as mild pupil dilation, glare or slight accommodation discomfort should be paid attention to. If necessary, the program should be adjusted under the guidance of an ophthalmologist.

In general, 0.01% Atropine sulfate eye drops (EIKANCE) has clear application value in controlling the progression of myopia in children. Its low concentration feature makes side effects more controllable and long-term medication safety is better. As a drug that targets the physiological mechanism of myopia, it provides a feasible preventive intervention for the vast number of myopic children and their families. However, it still needs to be applied individually under the guidance of professional doctors and implemented in conjunction with other myopia management measures to achieve the best effect.

Keyword tags:

Atropine sulfate eye drops, myopia prevention and control, efficacy evaluation, children's myopia, mechanism of action, side effects, comprehensive intervention

Reference materials:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7996158/