To Investigate the Effect of Combined Use of 0.01% Atropine and 2% Carteolol Hydrochloride Eye Drops on Early-Onset Myopic Control in Western Chinese Children.
Qiwen Chen, Xinyu Peng, Jing Fang et al.
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In 30 seconds
This study evaluated myopia progression in children aged 3–8 years in western China using 0.01% atropine alone or combined with 2% carteolol hydrochloride, compared with artificial tears. Although described as a randomized controlled trial, the 78 children were initially assigned to control or treatment according to parental willingness; only the treatment group was then randomly divided. At 6 months, the combination group had smaller increases in axial length (0.09 ± 0.10 mm) and less spherical-equivalent progression (-0.09 ± 0.12 D) than either comparator group. Adverse reaction rates were similar.
Key findings
- At 6 months, axial-length increase was 0.09 ± 0.10 mm with combination treatment, 0.47 ± 0.18 mm with atropine, and 0.99 ± 0.16 mm with control (all p < 0.001).
- Six-month spherical-equivalent progression was -0.09 ± 0.12 D with combination treatment, -0.51 ± 0.18 D with atropine, and -1.03 ± 0.15 D with control (all p < 0.001).
- Intraocular pressure decreased by -1.75 ± 4.24 mmHg in the combination group and increased in the other groups.
- Adverse reaction rates did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.05).
Why it matters
Early-onset myopia can progress during childhood, and this study reports less refractive progression and axial elongation over 6 months with combined atropine and carteolol than with atropine alone or artificial tears. The findings also report comparable adverse reaction rates, while the observed intraocular-pressure change is relevant when interpreting a regimen that includes an IOP-lowering drug.
What to keep in mind
Follow-up was limited to 6 months. Initial assignment to control or treatment depended on parental willingness, so the overall comparison was not fully randomized.