Effects of Atropine and Tropicamide on Ocular Biological Parameters in Children: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Abstract Background The effectiveness of cycloplegia in delaying the progression of myopia and its application in refractive examination in children have been extensively studied, but there are still few studies on the effects of atropine/tropicamide on ocular biological parameters. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the effects of atropine/tropicamide on children's ocular biological parameters in different age groups, and the differences between them. Methods This was a prospective observational study in which all school children were examined for diopter and ocular biological parameters in the outpatient clinic, and 1% atropine and tropicamide were applied for the treatment. After examination, we enrolled the patients grouped by age (age from 2 to 12 years treated by atropine, 55 cases; age from 2 to 10 years treated by tropicamide, 70 cases; age from 14 to 17 years treated by tropicamide, 70 cases). The ocular biological parameters of each patient before and after cycloplegia were measured and the difference value and its absolute value were calculated for statistical analysis using independent-samples t-test. Results There was no significant difference in the difference value of ocular biological parameters and the absolute value of the difference in the same age groups before and after cycloplegia (P > 0.05). There were significant statistical differences in the corresponding values of AL, K1 and ACD among different age groups (P < 0.05). Before cycloplegia, there were significant differences in AL, K, K1, K2 and ACD in different age groups (P < 0.05). However, the differences in AL, K, K1, K2 and ACD among different age groups disappeared after cycloplegia (P > 0.05). Conclusions This study demonstrated that atropine/tropicamide have different effects on cycloplegia in children of different ages. The effects of atropine/tropicamide on ocular biological parameters should be fully taken into account when evaluating the refractive state before refractive surgery or calculating the degree of intraocular lens before cataract surgery.