From the Guidelines
The most effective treatment for myopia is atropine eye drops, specifically 0.01% concentration, one drop in each eye at bedtime daily, as it has been shown to slow the progression of myopia in children and young adults. This treatment option is supported by multiple studies, including a network meta-analysis of 30 randomized controlled trials involving 5422 eyes, which concluded that muscarinic antagonists, such as atropine, were the most effective in reducing myopia progression 1. Additionally, a Cochrane analysis of the effect of several interventions on myopia progression found that antimuscarinic agents, including atropine, had the largest positive impact on slowing myopia 1.
Other treatment options for myopia include:
- Orthokeratology: Specially designed contact lenses worn at night to reshape the cornea
- Multifocal contact lenses: Worn during the day to slow myopia progression
- Corrective lenses: Eyeglasses or contact lenses prescribed with the appropriate lens power to correct vision
- Refractive surgery: LASIK or PRK, which reshape the cornea using laser technology, may be considered for adults with stable myopia
It's essential to note that regular eye exams are crucial to monitor progression and adjust treatment as needed. The use of atropine eye drops has been shown to be effective in slowing myopia progression, with minimal side effects, and is a recommended treatment option for children and young adults with progressive myopia 1.
Key points to consider when treating myopia:
- Atropine eye drops are the most effective treatment option for slowing myopia progression
- Regular eye exams are necessary to monitor progression and adjust treatment
- Other treatment options, such as orthokeratology and multifocal contact lenses, may be considered in addition to atropine eye drops
- Refractive surgery may be an option for adults with stable myopia.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Myopia
The treatment options for myopia include:
- Orthokeratology contact lenses, which have been shown to slow myopia progression by approximately 50% 2, 3, 4
- Soft bifocal contact lenses, which have also been shown to slow myopia progression by slightly less than 50% 2, 3, 4
- Topical pharmaceutical agents such as atropine or pirenzepine, which have been shown to slow myopia progression by approximately 50% 2, 5, 6, 3, 4
- Multifocal contact lenses or orthokeratology contact lenses, which have been shown to reduce myopia progression 6
- Low-dose atropine eye drops, which have been shown to reduce myopia progression when administered once daily over two or more years 6
- Spending at least two hours a day outdoors, which has been shown to reduce myopia progression 6, 3, 4
- Reducing continuous near work with distances of less than 30 cm, which has been shown to reduce myopia progression 6
Effectiveness of Treatment Options
The effectiveness of these treatment options varies, with:
- Atropine providing the best myopia control, but having significant side effects such as cycloplegic and mydriatic effects 2, 4
- Low-concentration atropine providing effective myopia control with fewer side effects than 1.0% atropine 2, 4
- Orthokeratology and soft bifocal contact lenses providing slightly less than 50% slowing of myopia progression 2, 3, 4
- Pirenzepine slowing myopia progression by approximately 40%, but not being commercially available in the United States 4
Considerations for Treatment
When considering treatment options for myopia, it is important to: