As the population of myopia grows rapidly, myopia has become a hot issue of global concern. Preventing myopia and slowing the progression of myopia to reduce the occurrence of pathological myopia and reduce the cost of myopia is the main purpose of related clinical work and scientific researches. Currently, atropine is the main drug for the prevention and control of myopia, and both laboratory studies and clinical trials have confirmed its effect. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends the use of 0.01% atropine, which is reported to be 50% to 53% effective in preventing and controlling myopia. This review collects the clinical and laboratory researches in decades to summarize the study progress in atropine for preventing and controlling myopia, including the clinical application effects, the influencing factors such as concentration, individual differences, bioavailability, and the related mechanisms. We also highlight the existing difficulties and challenges in the use of atropine in clinic.