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Tropicamide and anaphylaxis: A case report
Nazife Sefi-Yurdakul1, Özlem Sancakli2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Başkent University Zübeyde Hanım Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
Insights
Tropicamide eye drops, used for infant eye exams, can rarely cause severe anaphylaxis and circulatory failure. Prompt medical intervention is crucial for managing these life-threatening complications.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Pediatric eye examinations require cycloplegic agents for accurate refraction.
- Tropicamide is commonly used for its mydriatic and cycloplegic properties.
Observation:
- A 6-month-old infant developed anaphylaxis, respiratory, and circulatory failure shortly after receiving tropicamide (1%) eye drops.
- The infant required immediate emergency medical intervention.
Findings:
- The infant's condition stabilized, and symptoms improved within minutes of treatment initiation.
- This case highlights a rare but severe adverse reaction to tropicamide in an infant.
Implications:
- Ophthalmologists and pediatricians should be aware of the potential for severe systemic reactions to tropicamide.
- Careful patient selection and preparedness for emergency management are essential when administering tropicamide to infants.
Abstract:
A 6-month-old boy was brought to the ophthalmology outpatient clinic of our hospital by his parents with the suspicion of esotropia of his left eye. He was able to follow the objects, pupillary light reactions were normal, orthophoric in primary position with corneal light reflex (Hirschberg) test, ductions and versions were normal in all gaze positions. One drop of tropicamide (1%) was instilled in both eyes of the infant for cycloplegic retinoscopy and fundus examinations. After 10 min, anaphylaxis, respiratory and circulatory failure developed. He was immediately examined by the pediatrician, and emergency code was announced. At the 5th min of treatment, he regained consciousness, his respiratory and circulatory symptoms started to improve, and blood pressure returned to normal. In this case report, we aim to point out that tropicamide may rarely lead to life-threatening complications.
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