Recent study results imply that “atropine acts in the inner layers of the peripheral retina to affect neuronal responses to myopic defocus, raising the possibility that atropine may potentiate the effects of myopic defocus in inhibiting eye growth.”

Atropine eye drops will cause significant visual side effect when used in full dose and even some low dose preparations. In higher doses atropine will cause pupils to stay dilated (larger than average), this will let more light into the eye making children more sensitive to bright light. In addition, it will also make near focusing more difficult. Multifocal glasses that darken when outdoors are used by children who experience these side-effects.