Atropine eye drops 0.01%, 0.025% or 0.05% for myopia control have evidence for use in children aged 4 to 12 years at the start of treatment, and for up to three years. While the exact mechanism is not fully understood, atropine is believed to work by several non-accommodative pathways to slow the excessive elongation of the eyeball (axial length growth), which is the primary cause of near sight progression. However, it comes with some minor side effects such as light sensitivity, discomfort, difficulty with near tasks and general eye discomfort.