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ReviewJournal of clinical medicine · 2026

Low-Concentration Atropine (0.01%, 0.025%, 0.05%) for Myopia Progression in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Qi Wan, Qiong Wang, Ran Wei … Ke Ma

OphthalmologyReview

0.05% atropine drops slowed myopia progression more than lower doses in children

Low-Concentration Atropine (0.01%, 0.025%, 0.05%) for Myopia Progression in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Qi Wan … Ke Ma

Journal of clinical medicine · 2026

Purpose

Myopia has reached epidemic proportions globally, with approximately 50% of the world population projected to be affected by 2050.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL from database inception through April 2026.

n = 1756

Results

0.05% drops boosted eye growth control the most of all doses tested

MD 0.52 (95% CI 0.41 to 0.63)

null 0

0.41

0.63

CI excludes the null - significant

More results

For myopia progression, 0.01% atropine demonstrated significant efficacy at 1 year (pooled MD = +0.291 D, 95% CI: 0.199 to 0.384; p < 0.0001; I 2 = 29.1%) and at 2 years (pooled MD = +0.174 D, 95% CI: 0.056 to 0.291; p = 0.0038; I 2 = 0%).

More results

Clinically, a 0.25 D difference over 1-2 years may translate to approximately 0.50 D cumulative benefit over a typical 5-year treatment course, potentially reducing the risk of high myopia.

All concentrations showed an excellent safety profile with no serious adverse events.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 3

Low-concentration atropine is effective for myopia progression control at all three concentrations, with a concentration-dependent gradient (0.05% > 0.025% > 0.01%).

Conclusion · 2 of 3

The 0.01% concentration offers a reasonable balance of efficacy and tolerability. Further independent validation of the 0.05% concentration is warranted.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

The premyopia prevention indication requires additional well-designed randomized controlled trials.

Post

Low-Concentration Atropine (0.01%, 0.025%, 0.05%) for Myopia Progression in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

0.05% atropine drops slowed myopia progression more than lower doses in children

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