Author(s)

Xinwen Zhang

Department of Postgraduate, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, China.

Objective: Short-term effects of 0.02%/0.04% atropine sulfate eye drops on choroidal thickness in myopic children using optical coherence tomography angiography. Methods: Thirty-two children aged 6 - 12 years were selected and divided into 22 cases and 44 eyes in the 0.02%/0.04% atropine sulfate eye drops observation group and 10 cases and 20 eyes in the control group. The linear regression equation was used to evaluate the correlation among the spherical equivalent, the axial length and the subfoveal choroidal thickness, moreover, used to evaluate the correlation between the baseline and 6 months later. Independent samples T-test was used to detect whether there was any statistical difference between the nasal 1 mm subfoveal choroidal thickness and the temporal 1 mm subfoveal choroidal, meanwhile, compared with the baseline and 6 months later. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: After 6 months follow-up, the axial length increased by 0.067 ± 0.199 mm in the atropine group, 0.201 ± 0.081 mm in the control group (P < 0.05); the spherical equivalent (all negative numbers, absolute values were taken) increased by 0.094 ± 0.239 D in the atropine group, 0.375 ± 0.268 D in the control group (P < 0.05); the subfoveal choroidal thicknesss increased by 27.023 ± 22.078 μm in the atropine group, ?3.800 ± 8.177 μm in the control group (P < 0.05); the nasal 1 mm subfoveal choroidal thickness increased by 19.750 ± 18.022 μm in the atropine group, 0.050 ± 8.219 μm in the control group (P < 0.05); the temporal 1 mm subfoveal choroidal thickness increased by 22.091 ± 19.721 μm in the atropine group, ?4.250 ± 6.339 μm in the control group (P < 0.05); the increment in thickness of the 1mm choroid in the nasal side of the submacular central recess was not statistically different from the temporal side at P = 0.57. The multiple linear regression analysis of baseline subfoveal choroidal thickness, axial length, and spherical equivalent had a R-squared of 0.011. The multiple linear regression analysis of the difference in subfoveal choroidal thickness, axial length, and spherical equivalent was 0.269. Conclusions: 1) 0.02%/0.04% atropine sulfate eye drops can delay the growth of axial length and spherical equivalent; 2) 0.02%/0.04% atropine sulfate eye drops can thicken the choroid, and the thickness of the nasal side 1mm is the same as that of the temporal side 1 mm; 3) At baseline, the subfoveal choroidal thickness has no significant correlation with the axial length and spherical equivalent; 4) After 6 months, changes in axial length and spherical equivalent were negatively correlated with changes in subfoveal choroidal thickness.

Myopia, Atropine, Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography, Choroid Thickness

Zhang, X. (2023) Short Term Effect of 0.02%/0.04% Atropine Sulfate Eye Drops on Choroid Thickness in Children with Myopia. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 11, 1-17. doi: 10.4236/jbm.2023.118001.