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Medicated eye drops may delay nearsightedness in children

The earlier myopia starts, the worse eye health can become later in life

A photo of a boy with an eye drop bottle being held above his eye by his mom in the background.

Medicated eye drops taken nightly for two years delays nearsightedness in children, a new study suggests.

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By McKenzie Prillaman

- More than 2 years ago

An eye drop a day could keep myopia at bay — at least temporarily.

Using nightly eye drops with 0.05 percent atropine, a medication that relaxes the eye muscle responsible for focusing vision, may delay myopia onset in children, researchers report February 14 in JAMA.