Study launched to prevent short-sightedness in children
Whether low-dose atropine from belladonna can reliably slow down the growth of the eyeball and thus prevent myopia is now being investigated in a nationwide study led by Freiburg / Participants wanted
Almost every second child in Europe becomes short-sighted by young adulthood. This short-sightedness is caused by excessive growth of the eyeball. It has been known for more than 100 years that this growth can be slowed by atropine drops from belladonna. However, due to side effects such as glare or blurred near vision, treatment was impossible for a long time. Initial studies from Asia and preliminary studies at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg showed that highly diluted atropine has good effects without these unpleasant side effects. In a nationwide study funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), children between the ages of eight and twelve are now to be examined to determine whether and which dosage of atropine is optimal to prevent short-sightedness or slow down its development. We are looking for people interested in the study.
Study participants must be between eight and twelve years old and have myopia of -1 to -6 diopters with an annual worsening of at least 0.5 diopters. The consent of parents or legal guardians is also required. Interested parties can find more information about participating in the study at www.aim-studie.de
"Myopia is widespread and a major risk factor for serious eye diseases in later life, such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular diseases or retinal detachment. Our study will clarify whether low-dose atropine can slow down or even prevent myopia," says principal investigator Prof. Dr. Wolf A. Lagrèze, head physician of the Neuroophthalmology, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Section of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. "We know that daylight and a sufficient reading distance have a positive effect. However, therapy with atropine eye drops is probably the most effective," says Lagrèze.
Short-sightedness usually begins at primary school age
Ordinary short-sightedness usually begins at primary school age and progresses over the following years, rarely beyond the age of 20. The earlier myopia begins, the more severe it will be in adulthood.
In the study now starting, children with incipient short-sightedness will receive eye drops once in the evening at a dosage of 0.01 percent or 0.02 percent atropine. In one of the two study arms, the test subjects receive a placebo in the first year of the study. This means that the participants are given atropine in both study arms, but in one arm only after one year. The groups are randomized. The total duration of the study is three years. The Freiburg-led study is being conducted at 16 university hospitals and other specialist clinics.
100-year-old knowledge applied in a new way
Atropine has been used in ophthalmology for a long time. Its delaying effect on the development of short-sightedness has also been known for more than 100 years. However, atropine drops were rarely prescribed because of side effects such as glare due to dilated pupils or problems with near vision due to impaired adaptation to focus. In the current therapeutic dosage, these side effects last for about a week after a single administration.
A few years ago, studies from Asia showed for the first time positive effects of low-dose atropine on the development of short-sightedness in children. A study at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg also pointed in this direction. Since the publication of this data, low-dose atropine eye drops to slow down myopia have quickly become established worldwide and have also been used by many ophthalmologists in clinics and practices in Germany for a few years now.
At the same time, the efficacy and tolerability as well as the optimal dosage have not yet been conclusively clarified. This is now to be achieved with the Freiburg-led study. "Such a study is urgently needed to prove or disprove the benefits of the increasing use of low-dose atropine in children and to develop clinical guidelines," says Lagrèze.
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Wolf A. Lagrèze
Head physician
Section Neuroophthalmology, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus Treatment
Eye Center
Uniklinik Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270 40110
wolf.lagreze@uniklinik-freiburg.de
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