Atropine Eye Drops

Low strength atropine eye drops have been shown to be well tolerated with few side effects and little effect on pupil size or vision at strengths up to 0.05%.* Higher strengths don’t appear to offer greater efficacy but come with greater side effects.

How do I prescribe Atropine eye drops for my patients?

Request our simple atropine eye drop order form to order for your patients. We will call your patient and gather any additional information and ship the medication directly to them.

How are Atropine eye drops dispensed?

Patients receive 3 X 3ml bottles with instructions to use 1 bottle for 2 weeks stored in the refrigerator while freezing the other two bottles for a total of a 6 week supply. After 2 weeks, the first bottle is discarded and a second bottle is used while stored refrigerated (see figure 1). This is to ensure the stability and sterility of the medication.

What do Atropine eye drops cost?

We accept all insurance plans and FSA/HSA cards. Currently, all three Nebraska managed Medicaid plans cover this treatment. Commercial coverage is generally limited for this compounded medication and the cost ranges from $100 – $150 depending on the strength. We recommend letting those parents know the cost up front. This price includes FedEx Next Day Air cold shipping.

How do Atropine eye drops ship?

We compound and ship atropine eye drops every Wednesday. It is shipped cold via FedEx Next Day Air directly to your patient at no additional cost. We will reach out to your patient every 6 weeks to confirm their refill and schedule their shipment.

Where can I learn more about Atropine eye drops?

To learn more about low strength Atropine eye drops, check out the published resources and clinical studies below. If you’d like to set up a time to discuss this treatment option for your adolescent patients with myopia, feel free to call the pharmacy (402-462-2929) or send us a message. We are here to help!

Resources: 

Atropine 0.05% Over 0.01% in Myopia Control: Study

Managing Myopia With Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops

Trial Finds Low-Dose Atropine Eyedrops May Slow Myopia Progression

Safety and Efficacy of Low-Dose Atropine Eyedrops for the Treatment of Myopia Progression in Chinese Children

How to Use Low-Dose Atropine to Slow Myopic Progression in Kids

One Drop into Each Eye at Bedtime: What Could be Simpler?

Low Concentration Atropine Drops, Safe, Effective in Myopia Control

Clinical Studies: 

Two-Year Clinical Trial of the Low-Concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP) Study

Atropine for the Treatment of Childhood Myopia

Efficacy and Adverse Effects of Atropine in Childhood Myopia: A Meta-Analysis

Atropine for the Treatment of Childhood Myopia: Safety and Efficacy of 0.5%, 0.1%, and 0.01% Doses

Efficacy of Atropine 0.01% for the Treatment of Childhood Myopia in European Patients

Topical Atropine in the Control of Myopia

Atropine for the Treatment of Childhood Myopia: Changes after Stopping Atropine 0.01%, 0.1%, and 0.5%.

Low-Dose (0.01%) Atropine Eye-Drops to Reduce Progression of Myopia in Children: A Multicentre Placebo-Controlled Randomised Trial in the UK

* Yam, J., et al. Two-Year Clinical Trial of the Low-Concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP) Study. Ophthalmology. 2020 Jul;127(7):910-919.