The effect of atropine on myopia.

Sixty-two children were treated with atropine in one eye for one year; the fellow eye was the control. The eyes were switched the second year. Twenty-eight patients were treated for four years on the same basis. Control eyes showed significant increases in myopia compared to treated eyes. Some treated eyes showed decreases in myopia; no decreases were seen in control eyes. Posttreatment data analysis indicates the effects are long-term.