Myopia Profile Sign in Sign in

Atropine for myopia control.

The past five years has seen research and clinical practice focus on low-concentration atropine (0.01% to 0.05%) which appears to provide dose-related efficacy with minimal side effects, compared to higher concentrations. 

The use of topical atropine for myopia control has decades of clinical and research history, but recent research has explored low concentrations, different formulations, and whether combination with optical treatments can boost myopia control results. New, preservative-free formulations are now superseding compounded preparations in scientific studies and adding to the story on the ideal concentration and target populations.

Follow the links on this page to learn more about atropine for slowing myopia progression.

See all myopia control products

Atropine for myopia control articles.

Combination atropine treatments: when more is moreCombination treatmentAtropineCombination atropine treatments: when more is moreAtropine is a treatment for myopia control, but do combination treatments such as with orthokeratology increase the efficacy?Read full article How atropine concentration affects visual function in myopic childrenAxial lengthHow atropine concentration affects visual function in myopic childrenThis was a systematic review of atropine concentration effects on focusing and binocular vision in children undergoing myopia management.Read full article ARVO2026 Recap #4 – Can we prevent myopia in children & treat it in adults?Pre-myopiaAtropineARVO2026 Recap #4 – Can we prevent myopia in children & treat it in adults?The fourth recap from ARVO 2026 explores the strategies for myopia prevention in young children and evidence on myopia treatment options in adults.Read full article ARVO2026 Recap #3 – New and improved lens designs & combination therapyCombination treatmentARVO2026 Recap #3 – New and improved lens designs & combination therapyThe third recap from ARVO 2026 highlights next-generation myopia control lens designs and modern approaches to combination therapy.Read full article Seasonal efficacy variation in ortho-k and defocus spectaclesClinical communicationSeasonal efficacy variation in ortho-k and defocus spectaclesStudy finds winter doubles axial elongation versus summer in children using ortho-k or atropine with defocus spectacles.Read full article Understanding the current evidence for myopia control methodsAxial lengthUnderstanding the current evidence for myopia control methodsA 2026 overview of research on childhood myopia control, including optical, pharmacological and behavioural approaches shown to slow eye growth.Read full article DIMS plus atropine vs ortho-k for myopia controlAxial lengthDIMS plus atropine vs ortho-k for myopia controlA one-year real-world study found DIMS spectacles with 0.01% atropine produced marginally less axial elongation than ortho-k in children with myopia.Read full article ASPECT trial finds 0.025% atropine and DIMS lenses slow axial lengthAxial lengthASPECT trial finds 0.025% atropine and DIMS lenses slow axial length This randomised controlled trial found that 0.025% atropine with DIMS lenses slowed axial length growth more than 0.025% atropine with standard spectacles Read full article How 0.05% atropine alters accommodation and vergenceBinocular visionAtropineHow 0.05% atropine alters accommodation and vergenceConsecutive use of 0.05% atropine disrupts accommodation, increases esophoria, and reduces the ability to counteract convergence.Read full article Atropine 0.01% and 0.125% similarly boost DIMS efficacyCombination treatmentAtropine 0.01% and 0.125% similarly boost DIMS efficacyDIMS lenses combined with atropine slowed myopia progression more effectively than DIMS alone, regardless of high (0.125%) or low (0.01%) atropine concentration.Read full article Three key myopia questions for 2026 Light therapiesAtropineThree key myopia questions for 2026 Atropine 0.01% monotherapy, second generation spectacle lenses and light therapy combo treatments - much to learn!Read full article The impact of rebound in myopia controlAxial lengthThe impact of rebound in myopia controlRebound can be miscalculated in myopia control. This review explains the correct approach and finds minimal rebound for optical treatments, but more for pharmacological ones.Read full article HALT lenses with low dose atropine slow myopia progressionSoft contact lensesSpectaclesHALT lenses with low dose atropine slow myopia progressionChildren progressing on low-dose atropine showed reduced axial elongation and refractive change after HALT lenses were added to their treatment.Read full article Does a 0.1% loading dose boost myopia control for 0.01% atropine?Myopia control efficacyDoes a 0.1% loading dose boost myopia control for 0.01% atropine?After 1-yr washout, myopia progression was similar in Danish children treated with 0.01% atropine or a 0.1% loading dose.Read full article Comparing the rebound effects of myopia control interventionsSoft contact lensesComparing the rebound effects of myopia control interventionsThis review compared rebound effects among different myopia control treatments, finding less rebound with optical options than atropine or light therapies.Read full article How to taper atropine in myopia managementManaging treatment outcomesHow to taper atropine in myopia managementWhen to stop atropine, and how to taper safely to reduce the risk of rebound.Read full article  ARVO2025 Recap #3 - Newest data on atropine and light therapiesLight therapiesAtropine ARVO2025 Recap #3 - Newest data on atropine and light therapiesThis third recap goes through novel light therapies and new research on atropine from ARVO 2025.Read full article A review of high myopia complications and control strategiesAxial lengthSpectaclesA review of high myopia complications and control strategiesThis review found that 0.5% and 1% atropine along with ortho-k controlled high myopia progression effectively. Read full article Hyperopic reserve as a predictor of myopia progression: LAMP2 studyMyopia control efficacyHyperopic reserve as a predictor of myopia progression: LAMP2 studyLow-dose atropine effectively delays myopia onset in high-risk children with low hyperopic reserve, supporting a targeted prevention approach.Read full article Combining forces: the latest on combination treatments in myopia managementCombination treatmentCombining forces: the latest on combination treatments in myopia managementCombination therapy in myopia shows promise, with some approaches well-supported and others still under study.Read full article Designing an atropine-eluting contact lens for myopiaCombination treatmentAtropineDesigning an atropine-eluting contact lens for myopiaAn atropine-eluting contact lens shows promise but the formulation showed cytotoxicity risks, requiring further refinements.Read full article Which is more effective: 0.05% or 0.01% atropine?AtropineWhich is more effective: 0.05% or 0.01% atropine?0.05% atropine slowed myopia more than 0.01%, with mild but more side effects.Read full article Does combining 0.05% atropine have an add-on effect with ortho-k?Myopia control efficacyDoes combining 0.05% atropine have an add-on effect with ortho-k?Adding 0.05% atropine to ortho-k slows myopia progression in fast progressors, especially in early months.Read full article Hot topics in myopia for 2025Light therapiesAtropineHot topics in myopia for 2025We explore five key topics which we are set to learn more about in the year ahead from pre-myopia to atropine to light therapies, and more. Read full article How to identify and manage pre-myopesUntreated myopia progressionHow to identify and manage pre-myopesHow can we identify and manage children at high risk of myopia onset? Definitions, communication and options are described.Read full article What is the 'hyperopic reserve' in pre-myopia?Pre-myopiaWhat is the 'hyperopic reserve' in pre-myopia?Children with a given level of hyperopia have less risk of myopia onset, with new research showing this varying with ethnicity and age. Read full article LAMP study Phase 4: early and continued treatment is keyAtropineLAMP study Phase 4: early and continued treatment is keyMyopia control effects of 0.05% atropine are sustained over 5yrs. Progression after ceasing treatment is limited by restarting use. Read full article An in-depth review of current myopia control therapiesMyopia control efficacyAn in-depth review of current myopia control therapiesThis living systematic review and network meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety profiles of numerous myopia control interventions.Read full article Latest on Interventions for Myopia Management from IMC 2024Ortho-kLight therapiesLatest on Interventions for Myopia Management from IMC 2024A central focus of the 2024 IMC was the latest research on interventions for myopia management.Read full article The Phase II APPLE study for low-dose atropine in SingaporeTreatment safetyAxial lengthThe Phase II APPLE study for low-dose atropine in SingaporeThis study showed very low concentration 0.005% atropine (half strength of 0.01%) had similar efficacy to 0.01% with minimal side-effects.Read full article 

Enormous thanks to our visionary sponsors

Myopia Profile’s growth into a world leading platform has been made possible through the support of our visionary sponsors, who share our mission to improve children’s vision care worldwide. Click on their logos to learn about how these companies are innovating and developing resources with us to support you in managing your patients with myopia.