J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2014 Oct;55(10):1520-1524. 10.3341/jkos.2014.55.10.1520.

Side Effects after the Use of Cyclopentolate for Cycloplegic Refraction

• Kim EW
• Kim YW
• Lee JY

• KMID: 2216872
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2014.55.10.1520

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the frequency of side effects due to the use of cyclopentolate for cycloplegic refraction.
METHODS
For 4 months, temperature change and adverse effects in 157 children who visited the pediatric ophthalmology clinic of a university hospital for cycloplegic refraction using cyclopentolate were observed. Topical 1% cyclopentolate was instilled 5 times at 5 minute intervals and temperature measured before and after administration using a tympanic thermometer. Side effects such as facial flushing, skin rash, and central nervous system disorders were recorded while cycloplegic refraction was performed.
RESULTS
The mean temperature was increased 36.67 +/- 0.10degrees C to 36.90 +/- 0.09degrees C, but no fever exceeded 38degrees C. Seventeen (10.83%) patients experienced side effects including facial flushes (n = 6), temperature change (n = 5), abnormal central nervous system symptoms (n = 4), and a visible skin rash (n = 2). No patient experienced more than 1 side effect and long term adverse effects were not observed.
CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of side effects due to cyclopentolate instillation for cycloplegic refraction was 10.83% in children. Although side effects due to cyclopentolate disappeared without any treatment, cafeful monitoring for their occurrence is necessary.

Keyword

Children; Cyclopentolate; Cycloplegic refraction; Side effects

MeSH Terms

Central Nervous System
Central Nervous System Diseases
Child
Cyclopentolate*
Exanthema
Fever
Flushing
Humans
Incidence
Ophthalmology
Thermometers
Cyclopentolate

Figure

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  Figure 1. (A, B) Facial flushing after five times instillation of 0.5% cyclopentolate of 1 year old baby (A: before using, B: after using).

Reference

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