Efficacy of 0.01% atropine eye drops for myopia control in children of different ethnicities: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Br J OphthalmolSep 22, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchOphthalmology
Xiu Juan Zhang, Mingming Liu, Edison Chak Fung Ho et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of 0.01% atropine eye drops for myopia control in children across different ethnicities. Analyzing 25 randomized clinical trials involving 4374 children aged 4-18, the study found that atropine reduced spherical equivalent refraction progression by 37% annually (RoM: 0.63; 95% CI 0.54 to 0.74), with the most significant effect in South Asian populations.
Key findings
- 0.01% atropine reduced SER progression by 37% annually (RoM: 0.63; 95% CI 0.54 to 0.74).
- Efficacy was highest in South Asian populations, showing a 66% reduction (RoM: 0.34, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.42).
- Atropine slowed overall myopia progression by 0.21D per year (95% CI 0.15D to 0.27D) compared to placebo.
Why it matters
Understanding the differential efficacy of 0.01% atropine across ethnicities can guide clinicians in personalizing myopia management strategies, potentially improving outcomes for diverse patient populations.