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Combination cyclopentolate and phenylephrine for mydriasis in premature infants with heavily pigmented irides

B K Khoo1, A Koh, P Cheong

  • 1Department of Neonatology I, Kandang Kerbau Hospital, Singapore.

Insights

A combination eyedrop of cyclopentolate 0.2% and phenylephrine 1% effectively dilates pupils in premature infants with dark irides. This safe mydriatic regimen is comparable to other agents for retinopathy of prematurity screening.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Neonatal Medicine

Background:

  • Premature infants often require eye examinations for conditions like retinopathy of prematurity.
  • Achieving adequate pupil dilation (mydriasis) in infants with heavily pigmented irides can be challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a combination cyclopentolate 0.2% and phenylephrine 1% eyedrop for mydriasis in premature infants.
  • To compare this combination regimen with a standard tropicamide 0.5% and phenylephrine 2.5% regimen.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, randomized, double-blind study involving 28 premature infants (birthweight <1600 g) with dark irides.
  • Infants received both combination cyclopentolate/phenylephrine and tropicamide/phenylephrine regimens twice within a 2-week period.
  • Pupil size, blood pressure, and heart rate were monitored.

Main Results:

  • Both regimens successfully achieved good mydriasis without significant differences in pupil size.
  • No significant differences in blood pressure were observed between the groups.
  • Pulse rates showed slight deceleration in both groups, but the changes were not clinically significant.

Conclusions:

  • The combination eyedrop of cyclopentolate 0.2% and phenylephrine 1% is a safe and effective mydriatic agent for premature infants with dark irides.
  • This single combination eyedrop offers comparable efficacy and safety to the triple instillation of tropicamide 0.5% and phenylephrine 2.5%.
Abstract

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