AIM: To observe the effectiveness, safety and ethnic differences of 0.005% atropine eye drops combined with orthokeratology in controlling adolescents' low myopia between different ethnic groups.

METHODS:A total of 246 Han and Hani patients(246 eyes)with low myopia treated in our hospital from January to October 2021 were selected, with 120 patients(120 eyes)treated with 0.005% atropine eye drops combined with orthokeratology in experimental group, and 126 patients(126 eyes)treated with orthokeratology in control group. The uncorrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent(SE), axial length(AL), intraocular pressure, tear film break-up time(BUT), corneal curvature and corneal thickness of the two groups before and 1 a after wearing lenses were observed, and the incidence of complications were recorded.

RESULTS:At 1 a after wearing lenses, the changes of AL and SE in the experimental group(0.16±0.35 mm, -0.39±0.47 D)were lower than those in the control group(0.22±0.89 mm, -0.48±0.54 D), uncorrected visual acuity(LogMAR)was better than the control group(0.11±0.25 vs 0.14±0.19; P<0.05), there were differences in BUT, anterior chamber depth, corneal curvature and corneal thickness(P<0.05), but there were no differences in intraocular pressure of the two groups(P>0.05). In the Han and Hani groups, there were no differences in the changes of uncorrected visual acuity, AL and SE(P>0.05). During the follow-up period, no significant local or systemic adverse reactions occurred in the two groups, and there was no difference in the incidence of ocular complications between the two groups of patients(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: The 0.005% atropine eye drops combined with orthokeratology can effectively delay the progression of low myopia in adolescents without significant adverse reactions and ethnic differences.