Treatment of Rapid Progression of Myopia: Topical Atropine 0.05% and MF60 Contact Lenses

This retrospective study evaluates the effectiveness of combining 0.05% atropine with MF60 contact lenses in managing rapid myopia progression in children over one year. The study involved three groups: the treatment group (TG) with 15 children (53% male, average age 12.9 +/- 1.04), the MF group (MF) with 12 children (50% male, average age 12.8 +/- 0.8) using only MF60 lenses, and the control group (CG) with 14 children (43% male, average age 12.1 +/- 0.76). Baseline myopia and axial length (AL) were similar across groups, with the TG, MF, and CG showing -4.02 +/- 0.70 D, -4.18 +/- 0.89 D, -3.86 +/- 0.99 D, and 24.72 +/- 0.73 mm, 24.98 +/- 0.70 mm, 24.59 +/- 1.02 mm, respectively. Prior to the study, all groups exhibited significant myopia and AL progression, with no previous myopia control management. The treatment involved daily 0.05% atropine instillation, the use of MF60 lenses and increased outdoor activity. Biannual cycloplegic refraction and slit lamp evaluations confirmed no adverse reactions. After one year, the TG showed a significant reduction in myopia and AL progression (-0.43 +/- 0.46 D, p < 0.01; 0.22 +/- 0.23 mm, p < 0.01), whereas the CG showed minimal change (-1.30 +/- 0.43 D, p = 0.36; 0.65 +/- 0.35 mm, p = 0.533). The MF group also exhibited a notable decrease (-0.74 +/- 0.45 D, p < 0.01; 0.36 +/- 0.23 mm). Increased outdoor activity during the treatment year did not significantly impact myopia control, suggesting its limited additional effect in this cohort. The study concludes that the combination of 0.05% atropine and peripheral defocus soft contact lenses effectively controls myopia progression in children.