Changes of Choroidal Thickness in Children after Short-erm Application of 1% Atropine Gel

Abstract

Introduction: To assess changes of choroidal thickness (ChT) after administration of 1% atropine for 1 week in myopia, emmetropia, and hyperopia children. Methods: A total of 235 children aged 4–8 years, which included 46 myopia, 34 emmetropia, and 155 hyperopia patients were recruited and divided into three groups according to the spherical equivalent with the use of 1% atropine twice a day for 1 week. The ChT was measured at baseline and 1 week. Results: In the myopia and emmetropia groups, following administration of 1% atropine gel, the ChT thickened significantly under the fovea (i.e., from 278.29 ± 53.01 μm to 308.24 ± 57.3 μm, P < 0.05; from 336.10 ± 78.60 μm to 353.46 ± 70.22 μm, P < 0.05, respectively) and at all intervals from the fovea, while in the hyperopia group, there was no significant difference in the ChT except the nasal side (P < 0.05) . Conclusion: Topical administration of 1% atropine gel for 1 week significantly increased the subfoveal and parafoveal ChT in children with myopia and emmetropia. Atropine did not increase the ChT in hyperopia children, except at the nasal side.