Low-dose atropine and DIMS lenses slow myopia development in high-risk preschool children

Low-dose atropine and Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) lenses helped stabilize refractive development in preschool children at high familial risk for myopia, according to a study presented at the ARVO 2026 Annual Meeting.

In the randomized multicenter trial of 227 children, children in the control group showed a myopic shift after 6 months, while refractive status remained stable in both the atropine and DIMS groups (P < 0.001). Myopia incidence was lowest with atropine (2.6%), followed by DIMS lenses (5.5%) and controls (7.7%).

DIMS lenses also significantly reduced rapid myopia progression compared with controls (P = 0.041). Investigators concluded that both interventions may be effective early strategies for myopia prevention in high-risk preschool children.

Reference
Yang HY, et al. Early Myopia Prevention in Preschoolers: A Randomized Trial of 0.01% Atropine and DIMS Spectacle Lenses. Poster presented at: ARVO 2026 Annual Meeting; May 3-7, 2026; Denver, CO.