Testing Atropine’s Posterior Effects

Low-dose atropine shows limited short-term posterior structural effects in young adults

June 12, 2026
3 min

The Ophthalmologist

Objective:

To explore the acute effects of low-concentration atropine on axial length, retinal thickness, choroidal thickness, and retinal perfusion in young adults.

Approach:

Key Findings:

No significant changes in axial length, retinal thickness, or choroidal thickness were observed at one hour or 24 hours post-atropine instillation.
A transient reduction in superficial vascular complex perfusion density was noted one hour after atropine instillation.
No concentration-dependent effects were detected.

Interpretation:

Single-dose low-concentration atropine has minimal acute effects on posterior segment structure in young adults, although it may induce transient vascular changes.

Limitations:

The study assessed only single-dose effects.
The cohort size was relatively small and did not include children, the primary population for myopia control.