Atropine eye drops for myopia are now easier to access in Australia. If your child has been recommended 0.05% atropine eye drops to help slow the progression of short-sightedness (myopia), there’s some good news. Until recently, obtaining 0.05% atropine in Australia generally required a prescription to be sent to a specialist compounding pharmacy. While this worked well, it often meant extra waiting time, postage, variable supply, and an additional step for families. That has now changed.
Low-dose atropine is a prescription eye drop shown in multiple large clinical studies to slow myopia progression in children. Unlike the stronger atropine drops used in hospitals for other eye conditions, the concentrations used for myopia control are much lower and are generally well tolerated.
Depending on the child, atropine may be prescribed as a standalone treatment, or alongside myopia control spectacle lenses, orthokeratology or myopia control contact lenses. The right approach depends on each child’s age, prescription, rate of progression, lifestyle, and axial eye growth.
Research over recent years has shown that 0.05% is one of the most effective low-dose concentrations currently available for slowing myopia progression in many children, while remaining well tolerated. Not every child requires 0.05% — some may be better suited to lower concentrations or combination therapy, which is why treatment should always be individualised following a comprehensive myopia assessment.
Childhood myopia is becoming increasingly common, with experts predicting that by 2050, around half of the world’s population may be myopic. As myopia progresses, it doesn’t simply mean stronger glasses each year, higher levels of myopia increase the lifetime risk of eye conditions including retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts.
Modern myopia management aims to slow the growth of the eye, reducing how quickly a child’s prescription changes and lowering these long-term risks.
Following approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), EIKANCE® 0.05% atropine eye drops are now available through community pharmacies across Australia, making access to this treatment simpler for many families. This offers several advantages:
For many families, this removes one of the biggest barriers to starting treatment.
Although commercially manufactured atropine is now available in several concentrations, compounded atropine may still be appropriate in certain circumstances, for example, when a child requires a concentration or formulation that isn’t commercially available. At Adelaide City Optometrist, we prescribe what’s most appropriate for each individual child, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Myopia management is one of our clinical areas of special interest. Every child receives an individual assessment, which may include a comprehensive eye examination, cycloplegic refraction where appropriate, axial length measurement, a review of previous prescription changes, family history, and lifestyle risk factors.
Treatment recommendations may include low-dose atropine, myopia control spectacle lenses, orthokeratology, myopia control contact lenses, or combination therapy where clinically appropriate. Our goal isn’t simply to prescribe stronger glasses each year, it’s to help slow the progression of myopia and protect your child’s long-term eye health.
No. Children don’t require a GP referral for a myopia assessment. If your child’s prescription has been increasing, they’re squinting to see the board at school, or there’s a strong family history of myopia, we recommend arranging a dedicated myopia consultation.
Our optometrists have extensive experience in evidence-based childhood myopia management and will discuss whether atropine, myopia control lenses, Ortho-K, or a combination is most suitable for your child. Book a myopia assessment on 08 8224 0819 or online at HotDoc
