Health

Expert: Low concentration atropine eye drops are not a miracle cure for myopia

2024-03-27   

Recently, the first 0.01% low concentration atropine sulfate eye drops in China were approved for sale and began online. Due to its ability to delay the progression of myopia, coupled with being the first low concentration atropine officially approved for market in China, this eye drop is known as the "miracle drug for myopia", which has sparked widespread discussion in academia and society. According to research reports, the revenue of this eye drop is expected to reach approximately 1.5 billion yuan in 2024. What group of people is this eye drop suitable for? What is its clinical value? Is there a similar or better alternative product available? A reporter from China Economic Net conducted an interview. Not all myopic individuals can use it in mid March. Shenyang Xingqi Eye Medicine Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Xingqi Eye Medicine") announced that it has received a drug registration certificate for atropine sulfate eye drops approved and issued by the National Medical Products Administration. This product is declared as a Class 3 chemical drug route and is an ophthalmic preparation with atropine sulfate as the active ingredient. It has been approved for clinical indications to delay the progression of myopia in children aged 6 to 12 years old with spherical lens powers ranging from -1.00D to -4.00D (astigmatism ≤ 1.50D, anisometropia ≤ 1.50D). In recent days, discussions about atropine have been incessant. What is the clinical value of this product? Is it really the "cure" for myopia prevention and control in children and adolescents? Is it divine or not? "Atropine actually existed before and cannot be called a true new drug. Domestic and foreign studies have shown that atropine is effective in delaying the development of myopia." Chen Yueguo, chief ophthalmologist at Peking University Third Hospital, introduced that atropine has two main uses in the field of ophthalmic refraction: first, for dilated pupil examination, and second, for myopia prevention and control. Atropine of different concentrations has different uses. Not long ago, Xingqi Eye Drops was approved for marketing with a low concentration of 0.01% atropine, which is also the first domestically produced eye drop approved for this concentration. What is the difference between 0.01% low concentration? What value does it have? According to the introduction of the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association, early studies have found that high concentrations of atropine can significantly inhibit the growth of the anterior posterior diameter of the eye, thereby slowing down the deepening of myopia. However, there are also serious adverse reactions such as photophobia, decreased near vision, and rebound effects after discontinuation of the medication. Later, through continuous research, it was found that low concentrations of atropine (0.01%) can block the action of neurotransmitters in the central and peripheral nervous systems to control the deepening of myopia. This not only effectively delays the progression of myopia, but also reduces adverse reactions to higher concentrations of atropine. Therefore, it has gradually become popular among pharmaceutical companies. "The prevention and control effect is concentration dependent. Previously, high concentration atropine was also used for myopia prevention and control, but high concentration products have significant side effects. Therefore, in clinical practice, 0.01% low concentration atropine is commonly used for myopia prevention and control, while 1% concentration atropine is used for astigmatism (ciliary muscle paralysis) optometry." said Chen Yueguo. The reporter learned that previously, some hospitals circulated 0.01% atropine sulfate eye drops in the form of hospital preparations. But currently, apart from Xingqi eye drops, there are no similar products with myopia related indications on the market in China. Similar products of atropine sulfate eye drops have already been launched overseas, including Aspen in Australia and Ent in India

Edit:GuoGuo Responsible editor:FangZhiYou

Source:gmw.cn

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