Atropine eyedrops Treatment

For about 4 years Dr. Kaymak started to treat children who suffer from myopia, with low-dose atropine eye drops. He and his scientific team have found that atropine in the low dose causes a very slight dilation of the pupil, but does not affect their adaptability.

The problem with floaters is the shadow they cast on the retina when light is projected on them.

Size and location play a role: The bigger the floater and the nearer to the retina, the more intense the shadow and the more intensely the patient is disturbed. Pupil size also plays a role. With a wide pupil, the shadow is not as clear as it is with a narrow pupil. A small dose of 0.01% atropine, one drop every evening, can dilate the pupil by 1 mm, just enough to weaken the intensity of the shadow and even make it disappear. At this low concentration, we are able to maintain normal pupil dynamics.

Dilation will not occur in all lighting conditions: If you project the light onto the eye, the pupil constricts, but you have an increase in pupil size by 1 mm and no drop in visual acuity when the pupil dilates. The drop in accommodation amplitude is only 1 D, which is not a problem in young patients.

Photos: Courtesy of Dr. Brasse

When the pupil is not dilated the shadow that the floater makes on the retina is well defined.

Photos: Courtesy of Dr. Brasse

When the pupil is dilated or the floater moves away from the retina, the shadow that the floater makes on the retina is no longer well defined.

In a study that Dr. Kaymak recently performed in 30 patients, 60% reported significant improvement, 20% moderate improvement and 20% no improvement. They are currently performing a pilot study to select the patients who respond better to the treatment, but at this stage it seems that every patient is potentially a good candidate, and it is at least worth trying.