Low-dose atropine shows minimal rebound after discontinuation in CHAMP study follow-up

Low-dose atropine 0.01% demonstrated negligible rebound in myopia progression after treatment cessation in children, according to results from Stage 2 of the CHAMP Phase 3 clinical trial, which evaluated outcomes 1 year after completing 3 years of prior therapy.

In this multicenter, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study, 420 pediatric participants who completed the initial treatment phase were followed during a fourth year. Patients previously treated with atropine 0.01% or 0.02% were re-randomized to continue treatment or switch to vehicle, while those initially assigned to vehicle were re-randomized to one of the atropine doses.

Among children who discontinued atropine 0.01%, changes in spherical equivalent refractive error were comparable to those who continued treatment, indicating minimal rebound (P = 0.82). Across treatment groups, 83% to 90% of prior responders maintained their responder status during the follow-up period.

Safety outcomes remained favorable, with adverse events described as mild and transient.

Reference
Zadnik K, Schulman E, Flitcroft I, et al; CHAMP trial Group Investigators. Negligible Rebound in Myopia Progression Following Cessation of Treatment with 0.01% Atropine for 3 years: Year-4 Results from the CHAMP Phase 3 Clinical Trial. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2026;doi: 10.1007/s44402-026-00064-w. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41949794.