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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2020 Jul;48(5):569-579.
doi: 10.1111/ceo.13736. Epub 2020 Apr 1.

Western Australia Atropine for the Treatment of Myopia (WA-ATOM) study: Rationale, methodology and participant baseline characteristics

Samantha S Y Lee  1 , David A Mackey  1   2   3 , Gareth Lingham  1 , Julie M Crewe  1 , Michael D Richards  1   4 , Fred K Chen  1   5 , Jason Charng  1 , Fletcher Ng  1 , Ian Flitcroft  6 , James J Loughman  7 , Augusto Azuara-Blanco  8 , Nicola S Logan  9 , Christopher J Hammond  10 , Audrey Chia  11   12 , Tan Tai Truong  13 , Antony Clark  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Western Australia Atropine for the Treatment of Myopia (WA-ATOM) study: Rationale, methodology and participant baseline characteristics

Samantha S Y Lee et al. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

Importance: Atropine eyedrops are a promising treatment for slowing myopia progression in East Asian children. However, its effects on children in Australia, including those of non-Asian background, have not been well-studied.

Background: The Western Australia Atropine for the Treatment of Myopia (WA-ATOM) study aims to determine the efficacy and long-term effects of low-dose atropine eyedrops in myopia control. This paper describes the study rationale, methodology and participant baseline characteristics.

Design: Single-centre, double-masked, randomized controlled trial.

Participants: Children (6-16 years) with spherical equivalent ≤-1.50 D in each eye, astigmatism ≤1.50 D and myopia progression by ≥0.50 D/year.

Methods: Enrolled children were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive 0.01% atropine or placebo eyedrops. Participants are examined every 6 months during first 3 years of the study (2-year treatment phase followed by a 1-year washout phase), and then at a 5-year follow-up (2 years after the end of the washout phase).

Main outcome measures: Annual progression rate of myopia and axial length, tolerability to eyedrops and incidence and severity of unwanted effects.

Results: Out of 311 children who were referred, 242 were suitable for study participation, and 153 were subsequently enrolled. The baseline characteristics of enrolled participants are presented.

Conclusions and relevance: Outcomes of the WA-ATOM study will inform on the efficacy, tolerability, safety and long-term effects of low-dose atropine eyedrops in myopia control in Australian children. The impact of ocular sun exposure, iris colour and parental myopia on the efficacy of low-dose atropine will also be assessed.

Keywords: atropine eyedrop; myopia; myopia control; myopia treatment.

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References

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