Helping to slow your child's short-sightedness
We now offer an in-house atropine eye drop service for children whose myopia is progressing. This is prescribed directly by our own independent optometrists.
No external referral needed. Our Optometrists can assess and prescribe as part of a complete myopia management plan.
Why does myopia management matter in childhood?
Myopia (short-sightedness) means the eye grows too long, making distant objects look blurry. It usually develops in childhood and, in many children, gradually worsens each year. The stronger the prescription becomes, the greater the long-term risk of certain eye conditions in later life.
Treating myopia early and slowing progression can make a significant difference to your child's eye health over their lifetime.
What we already offer
Specialist myopia-control glasses lenses and contact lenses have been the foundation of our management approach. These remain a key part of treatment.
Now adding atropine drops
Low-dose atropine 0.01% eye drops are now available in-house as an additional option, working alongside your child's existing myopia control.
Low-dose atropine eye drops
Atropine is a prescription-only medicine licensed in the UK specifically to help slow the progression of myopia in children. It is used in a very low concentration -one drop into each eye at bedtime, every night.
It does not cure short-sightedness or remove the need for glasses or contact lenses. The aim is to slow down how quickly your child's myopia worsens, reducing the likelihood of a high prescription developing in the years ahead.
The drops are typically used for a period of years alongside other myopia management measures, with regular check-ups to make sure treatment is working and well tolerated.
What to expect
1) Initial Myopia Assessment
A dedicated 45-minute appointment including a cycloplegic refraction (eyedrops that fully relax the eye to give us the most accurate measure of your child's prescription).
2) Prescription & pharmacy
If atropine drops are appropriate, your IP Optometrist will issue a prescription. The drops are collected by you from a community pharmacy (we'll advise where).
3) 4-week follow-up call
We check in by phone four weeks after starting treatment to make sure your child is adapting well.
4) 6-monthly reviews
Regular in-practice reviews are included in your ongoing monthly care plan to monitor progress and adjust treatment as your child grows.
Initial assessment
£180
One-off fee for the 45-minute appointment, including cycloplegic refraction
Ongoing care
Monthly plan
We offer a monthly payment plan with 6-monthly reviews included. Drops are purchased separately on prescription.
Our independent-prescriber Optometrists
Atropine eye drops are a prescription-only medicine. At our practice, the following qualified independent prescribers can assess your child and issue a prescription where appropriate:
Dan Todd - Independent Prescriber Optometrist
Sarah Douglas - Independent Prescriber Optometrist
This service is available at our Gloucester Road practice only.
Ready to take the next step?
Book a dedicated myopia assessment for your child at our Gloucester Road practice.