Retinal vasculature changes after 0.125% atropine treatment in children with myopia measured using OCT angiography

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The study assessed the microvascular changes in the retina after the use of 0.125% atropine in children with myopia and the association between retina microvascular changes and the effects of myopia treatment. PATIENTS/METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, children with myopia aged 5–18 years were given 0.125% atropine for myopia control. Retina microvascular parameters were measured during the follow-up and included vessel density of the superficial vascular plexus (SVP) and deep vascular plexus. The effect of 0.125% atropine on the change in the retina microvasculature was analysed using a linear mixed model. Pearson’s correlational analysis was used to examine the relationship between the change in axial length (AL) and microvascular changes. RESULTS: A total of 64 eyes of 36 patients were included. A significant decrease in parafoveal vessel density of the SVP was observed in the first 3 months (p = 0.032). The change in parafoveal vessel density of the SVP in the first 3 months correlated negatively with the change in the AL after 1 year (r = –0.430, p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that 0.125% atropine may induce changes in the retina vasculature in children with myopia and that these changes may be a potential predictor of myopia progression.