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Related Experiment Videos

Visual side-effects from transdermal scopolamine (hyoscine).

Alison Y Firth1, Karen Walker

  • 1Academic Unit of Ophthalmology and Orthoptics, University of Sheffield, UK. a.firth@sheffield.ac.uk

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|January 19, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Transdermal scopolamine can reduce drooling in children with disabilities but may cause vision problems. These visual side effects, including dilated pupils and reduced near vision, resolved after discontinuing the medication.

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Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Transdermal scopolamine is a treatment option for managing drooling in children with disabilities.
  • Potential side effects include mydriasis (pupil dilation) and cycloplegia (impaired accommodation).

Observation:

  • Two male pediatric patients with neurological conditions (epilepsy with spinal dysraphism and cerebral palsy) were treated with transdermal scopolamine for drooling.
  • Both patients exhibited reduced near visual acuity and mydriasis with diminished pupillary light reflexes.

Findings:

  • Discontinuation of the transdermal scopolamine patch led to the normalization of visual acuity and pupillary responses.
  • The observed visual side effects were directly attributable to the transdermal scopolamine treatment.

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Implications:

  • Clinicians should monitor for visual disturbances in children with disabilities receiving transdermal scopolamine.
  • The cumulative effects of scopolamine and patients' potential inability to communicate adverse events necessitate careful clinical vigilance.