ABSTRACT Purpose Myopia control is crucial for pediatric eye care professionals. Although various treatments exist, their comparative efficacy, particularly in European populations, remains unclear. In real‐life conditions, this study aimed to compare different strategies to slow myopia progression. Methods This retrospective, nonrandomized study evaluated the efficacy of 0.01%, 0.025%, and 0.05% atropine, defocus incorporated multiple segments/highly aspherical lenslets (DIMS/HAL) spectacles, combined atropine and DIMS/HAL, and single vision spectacles in 288 European children (aged 5–12 years) with myopia progression (≥0.75 D in the past 12 months). Primary outcomes were changes in spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length measured every 6 months for 3 years. Results The mean cumulative 3‐year SER progressions were −0.75 ± 0.49, −0.92 ± 0.52, and −1.31 ± 0.75 D for the 0.05%, 0.025%, and 0.01% atropine groups, respectively, −1.31 ± 0.76 D for the DIMS/HAL group, and −1.11 ± 0.65 D for the 0.01% atropine + DIMS/HAL group, showing better myopia progression control compared to those of the control group (−2.14 ± 0.72 D). Atropine exhibited a dose‐dependent effect, with 0.05% atropine achieving the greatest reduction in myopia progression and axial elongation. Conclusions This study demonstrates the efficacy of low‐dose atropine and DIMS/HAL spectacles in slowing myopia progression in European children. The 0.05% atropine exhibited the most pronounced myopia control effect.
Grégoire et al. (Sun,) studied this question.