Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Ultrasound Cyclo Plasty in Eyes with Glaucoma
Published on: January 26, 2018
Optimal dosage of cyclopentolate 1% for complete cycloplegia: a randomized clinical trial
A Bagheri1, S Givrad, S Yazdani
1Department of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Research Center, Labbafinejad Hospital, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran. abbasbagheri@yahoo.com
Insights
One drop of cyclopentolate 1% provides adequate cycloplegic refraction. This dosage also results in fewer side effects compared to using two or three drops.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Accurate refractive error assessment is crucial in pediatric eye care, particularly for strabismus diagnosis.
- Cyclopentolate is a commonly used anticholinergic agent for inducing cycloplegia, but optimal dosing for efficacy and safety is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To ascertain the most effective dosage of cyclopentolate for achieving sufficient cycloplegia.
- To identify the cyclopentolate dosage that minimizes adverse effects in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A prospective randomized clinical trial involving 96 patients (192 eyes) aged 3.5 to 20 years undergoing strabismus evaluation.
- Patients were randomized into three groups comparing one, two, or three drops of cyclopentolate 1% for cycloplegic refraction.
- Refractive error changes and side effects were assessed and compared between groups.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference in refractive error outcomes (>= 0.5 D change) was observed between groups receiving one, two, or three drops (p=0.16).
- A high percentage of eyes within each group showed minimal refractive change (<0.5 D) regardless of the number of drops (p<0.001).
- Adverse effects were reported more frequently with increased cyclopentolate drop administration.
Conclusions:
- A single drop of cyclopentolate 1% is sufficient for achieving adequate cycloplegic refraction in pediatric patients.
- Using a single drop of cyclopentolate minimizes the occurrence of side effects compared to multiple drops.
Purpose:
To determine the optimal dosage of cyclopentolate for adequate cycloplegia with minimal side effects.
Methods:
A prospective randomized clinical trial of patients 3.5 to 20 years of age referred to a strabismus clinic during a 1-year period. Eligible patients were randomly divided into three groups. In Group 1, the cycloplegic effect of one drop of cyclopentolate was compared with two drops; in Group 2, the effect of two drops was compared with three drops; and in Group 3, the effect of one drop was compared with three drops.
Results:
This study includes 192 eyes of 96 patients with a mean age of 11.0 +/- 5.7 years. Strabismus was present in 43 patients (44.8%). A total of 146 patients (76%) were hyperopic, 33 (17.2%) were myopic, and 13 (6.8%) were slightly hyperopic or myopic at the two stages of the study. Overall, only 16 eyes, including 9 eyes in Group 1 (16.4%), 2 eyes in Group 2 (3.2%), and 5 eyes in Group 3 (8.6%), had > or = 0.5 D difference in spherical equivalent refractive error at two stages of the study; however, intergroup differences were not statistically significant (p=0.16, chi-square test). Within each group, the percentage of eyes with <0.5 D difference was significantly greater than those with > or = 0.5 D difference (p<0.001 in all three groups, binomial test). Side effects were more prevalent using more frequent drops.
Conclusions:
A single drop of cyclopentolate 1% suffices for cycloplegic refraction. There were less frequent side effects using one drop of cyclopentolate, compared to two or three drops.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems
01:01Dosage Regimens: Partial Pharmacokinetic Parameters
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...