Can the "miracle medicine for myopia" really save eyesight? Experts warn: Don't blindly follow the trend
8-year-old Yangyang has 100 degrees of myopia, and his parents are very anxious, and they heard that there is a "myopia miracle drug" on the market, so they hurriedly took him to the hospital to ask. After the doctor's examination, he felt that Yang Yang could use low-concentration atropine. But the doctor also said that this drug is not for the treatment of myopia, but only to slow down the growth of myopia. Yangyang's parents were a little hesitant and didn't know whether to give this medicine to their children.
Recently, many parents have come to the hospital to consult this "miracle drug for myopia". The doctor said that the child's eye condition must be assessed before taking the drug, and it must be clearly explained to the parents and children so that they can agree before using it. During the medication, the child may experience some discomfort and should go to the hospital in time.
When the "myopia miracle drug" was not yet on the market, many parents came to ask. Last Sunday, the hospital received 300 patients, one in five who came to consult the drug. The doctor reminded everyone that they should pay attention to their children's eye habits and go outdoors more.
Should children be given this "myopia miracle drug"?
01
What are low-concentration atropine eye drops?
Low-concentration atropine eye drops, as the name suggests, are a relatively low concentration of atropine eye drops. Atropine is a drug that you may not be familiar with, but it has been used in ophthalmology for many years. It relaxes the ciliary muscles in the eye and dilates the pupils.
In the past, ophthalmologists often used atropine eye drops with relatively high concentrations to dilate the pupils and facilitate eye examination. Later, studies found that atropine eye drops also controlled the progression of myopia. However, high-concentration atropine eye drops have obvious side effects, such as photophobia, blurred vision, etc., so it is not suitable for long-term use.
In recent years, scientists have found that low-concentration atropine eye drops can also play a role in delaying the progression of myopia with much fewer side effects. At present, many clinical trials have been carried out at home and abroad, and the results have shown that low-concentration atropine eye drops can effectively delay the progression of myopia in children and adolescents.
To put it simply, low-concentration atropine eye drops are like "putting the brakes" on the eyes, making myopia progression slower. It is not a "miracle drug" and cannot make myopia disappear, but it can make children's myopia grow a little more slowly, which is still very helpful in protecting eyesight.
02
What are the side effects of low-concentration atropine eye drops?
Any medication can have side effects, and low-concentration atropine eye drops are no exception. However, compared to high-concentration atropine eye drops, the side effects are much smaller and most children can tolerate them.
Common side effects of low-concentration atropine eye drops include: local irritation of the eyes, such as redness, itchiness, and tearing of the eyes after taking the medicine; Blurred near vision, as atropine can affect the accommodative function of the eye; There is also photophobia, because the pupils are dilated, and more light enters the eyes.
These side effects are usually mild and temporary, and they go away when the drug is stopped. Of course, there are also a very small number of children who may have allergic reactions, such as redness, itching, and even anaphylaxis of the skin around the eyes. If your child has any of these conditions, they need to stop taking the medicine immediately and seek medical attention promptly.
In general, the doctor will choose the appropriate concentration for your child's specific situation and closely monitor your child's response to medication. Parents should also pay attention to the child's eyes and vision, and if they find any abnormalities, they should tell the doctor in time.
03
Which children are candidates for low-strength atropine eye drops?
Are all myopic children suitable for low-concentration atropine eye drops? Of course not. The doctor will make a judgment based on your child's specific situation, mainly considering the following factors:
The first is the rate at which myopia is growing. If the child's myopia is growing rapidly, exceeding 100 degrees per year, then medication needs to be considered to control the progression of myopia.
The second is the age of the child. In general, children over the age of 6 can use low-concentration atropine eye drops. Children who are too young may not yet fully develop the accommodative function of their eyes, and some side effects may occur after taking the drug.
The child's family history is also important. If both parents are highly myopic, the risk of myopia will also be higher. In this case, the doctor may recommend that your child start using low-concentration atropine eye drops earlier to prevent the onset and progression of myopia.
In addition to the above factors, the doctor will also evaluate your child's eye habits, outdoor activity time, etc., and then decide whether low-concentration atropine eye drops are suitable for use.
04
What should I pay attention to when using low-concentration atropine eye drops?
Although low-concentration atropine eye drops are relatively safe, there are still some things to pay attention to during use:
Before taking the medication, the doctor will give the child a comprehensive eye examination to rule out some conditions that are not suitable for medication, such as glaucoma, keratitis, etc.
During the medication, your child will need to be taken to the hospital for regular check-ups to monitor changes in intraocular pressure and vision. Because atropine may cause an increase in intraocular pressure, regular monitoring is required to detect problems in a timely manner.
When dispensing medicine, pay attention to hand hygiene to avoid contaminating the medicine bottle and eyes. After ordering the medicine, gently close your eyes and rest for a few minutes to allow the medicine to fully absorb.
Parents should also pay attention to the child's eyes and vision, and tell the doctor if there is any discomfort, such as redness, itchiness, vision loss, etc.
Finally, I would like to remind everyone that low-concentration atropine eye drops are only a means of myopia prevention and control, and cannot replace other prevention and control measures. Parents should still urge their children to develop good eye habits and participate in more outdoor activities to better protect their children's eyesight.