Atropine or Cyclopentolate to Diagnose Premyopia in Preschool Children

How do cycloplegic refraction outcomes differ in preschool children given either atropine or cyclopentolate?In a post hoc analysis of 2 population-based studies, 1 from 2013 to 2014 (cyclopentolate group) and the other from 2024 (atropine group), among a total of 1761 children aged 3 to 7 years and 3048 eyes, after cycloplegia, the cyclopentolate group showed more myopic spherical equivalent, a higher prevalence of premyopia, and a lower prevalence of hyperopia compared with the atropine group.This study found that the use of atropine for cycloplegia in preschool children was associated with less myopic refraction compared with cyclopentolate and potentially avoids overestimation of premyopia prevalence; however, this investigation did not evaluate each cycloplegic agent in the same children.

Corresponding Author: Xiangui He, PhD, Shanghai Eye Diseases Prevention and Treatment Center/Shanghai Eye Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No.1440 Hongqiao Rd, Shanghai, China (xianhezi@163.com).

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