Contemporary Strategies for Myopia Progression Control in Children: Atropine, Orthokeratology, and Combined Approaches

Rahimova Saiyora

Citation: Rahimova Saiyora, "Contemporary Strategies for Myopia Progression Control in Children: Atropine, Orthokeratology, and Combined Approaches", Universal Library of Medical and Health Sciences, Special Issue.

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Myopia is a refractive condition whose global burden is expanding at a rate that warrants systematic clinical attention, particularly in pediatric populations where progression accelerates during school-age years. By 2050, nearly half the world population is projected to have myopia, with high myopia affecting approximately 10%, substantially raising the lifetime risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, and visual impairment. This review evaluates the evidence base for three principal myopia control strategies, namely low-dose atropine pharmacotherapy, orthokeratology, and their combination, focusing on outcomes reported in randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews. A systematic literature analysis was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using standardized search terms. Results show that orthokeratology reduces axial elongation by approximately 43 to 50 % compared with single-vision spectacles, while atropine at 0.01 % concentration reduces progression by 50 to 60 % with fewer rebound effects than higher concentrations. Combined protocols yield axial elongation rates near 0.10 mm per year, comparable to the lowest values reported in monotherapy trials. Based on this synthesis, a clinical decision algorithm is proposed to guide practitioner selection among these interventions according to age, progression rate, and patient suitability. The findings are relevant for ophthalmologists, optometrists, and pediatric care providers seeking evidence-based approaches to slowing myopia progression.


Keywords: Myopia Control, Pediatric Myopia, Atropine, Orthokeratology, Axial Elongation, Combined Therapy, Refractive Error, Myopia Progression, Low-Dose Atropine, Scleral Remodeling.

Download doi https://doi.org/10.70315/uloap.ulmhs.2022.001