Eye drops halt short-sightedness

EYE drops given to children while they are still growing can stop short-sightedness from taking hold, scientists have found.

During a five-year trial, 400 children aged six to 12 were assigned a daily dose of the drug atropine. Researchers found the drops with the lowest concentration of atropine – only 0.01 per cent – slowed short-sight by 50 per cent compared with untreated children.

The low dose worked more effectively than higher concentrations, and also had the fewest side effects – which can include light sensitivity – as it only dilated the pupil by less than 1mm. Atropine has been used by eye doctors for years, both to examine the eye as the drug ‘holds the pupil open’, and to treat the condition ‘lazy eye’ – where one eye does not develop properly.

Researcher Dr Donald Tan, from the Singapore Eye Research Institute, said: ‘For a long time we’ve known atropine can keep myopia from getting worse. We now have data showing it is not only effective, but also safe. This treatment could become a great ally in preventing myopia from causing serious visual impairment in children worldwide.’