Progressive myopia appears during childhood, adolescence or early adulthood and it is one of the problems that generally symmetrically causes bad farsightedness. The fundamental cause is eye growth during this period, and to see clear correction is made with glasses annually. Myopia progression is typical until a certain age (20-25 years), there is not clearly effective treatment to curb it.
Among medication already tried, we know that since 1970, Atropine in drops slows the progress of it. This causes blocking the action of a mediator acetylcholine, producing pupil dilation. Atropine that currently exists in the market is eye drops 1% and produces a paralysis of accommodation for having a very prolonged effect in time.
This implies that the child is uncomfortable because he can´t read closely, thus its use in ophthalmology is only reserved for occasional use. However, it has been seen that Atropine diluted 100-fold (0.01%) does not produce this effect cited above and slows myopia progression, as it has been seen in experimental studies.
A drop of 0.01% atropine every night is the treatment proposed. So that, the glasses that patient needs to wear in his adult life, are smaller.
NOT undesirable side effects have been reported with the use of it, and a priori appears that the effectiveness can be 70%. The effect is the reduction of myopia progression and treatment may be maintained until stabilization of myopia is seen.
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