Cycloplegic refraction in esotropic children. Cyclopentolate versus atropine

Pre-Cycloplegic Exam Benefit of Photoscreening and Accommodation-Relaxing Skiascopy

Background

Seeking a quick way to estimate refractions for challenging pediatric patients, we studied two non-contact methods with particular attention to accuracy and level of stress in uncovering cycloplegic hyperopia.

Methods

Newly referred and follow-up pediatric eye patients had timed school bus accommodation-relaxing skiascopy (SBARS) and Plusoptix A12 (Px) photoscreener testing before cyclopentolate 1% confirmatory examinations. The ABCD ellipsoid univariate method based on relative blur and vector components was used to compare dry sphero-cylinder refraction estimates with cycloplegic. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine screening value.

Results

Three compared refractions were attempted in 191 racially diverse children of whom 100 were age 0.2-3.9 years and 91 were 4 to 14 years. Plusoptix failed to yield a result in 21 and an additional 21 were interpreted as an excess sphere. Median spherical equivalent did not differ between Px and SBARS for 149 with Px readings but in hyperopic patients, Plusoptix uncovered 27% less hyperopia. The ellipsoid for SBARS of 0.8 was better than 2.4 for Plusoptix (Mann-Whitney p<0.001). Plusoptix was fastest (3-15 seconds) followed by SBARS (15-30 seconds) compared to 30-45 minutes for cycloplegic exam.

Conclusion

Non-contact quick refractive methods enhanced confirmatory cycloplegic pediatric exam in high-risk pediatric patients.

Ocular Cyclopentolate: A Mini Review Concerning Its Benefits and Risks

Cycloplegic and mydriatic agents are essential in ophthalmological clinical practice since they provide the means for diagnosing and treating certain eye conditions. In addition, cyclopentolate has proven to possess certain benefits compared to other available cycloplegics and mydriatics. Still, the incidence of some adverse drug reactions related to this drug, especially in susceptible patients, has created interest in reviewing the literature about the benefits and risks of using cyclopentolate. A literature search was conducted in Medline/PubMed and Google Scholar, focusing on identifying cyclopentolate's benefits and risks; the most important benefit was its usefulness for evaluating refractive errors, especially for hyperopic children, pseudomyopia, anterior uveitis, treatment of childhood myopia, idiopathic vision loss, and during examinations before refractive surgery, with particular advantages compared to other cycloplegics. While the risks were divided into local adverse drug reactions such as burning sensation, photophobia, hyperemia, punctate keratitis, synechiae, and blurred vision, which are relatively frequent but mild and temporary; and systemic adverse drug reactions such as language problems, visual or tactile hallucinations and ataxia, but unlike ocular, systemic adverse drug reactions are rare and occur mainly in patients with risk factors. In addition, six cases of abuse were found. The treatment with cyclopentolate is effective and safe in most cases; nevertheless, special care must be taken due to the potential severe ADRs that may occur, especially in susceptible patients like children, geriatrics, patients with neurological disorders or Down's syndrome, patients with a low blood level of pseudocholinesterase, users of substances with CNS effects, and patients with a history of drug addiction. The recommendations are avoiding the use of 2% cyclopentolate and instead employing solutions with lower concentrations, preferably with another mydriatic such as phenylephrine. Likewise, the occlusion of the nasolacrimal duct after instillation limits the drug's absorption, reducing the risk of systemic adverse events.

Clinical Profile, Neuroimaging Characteristics, and Surgical Outcomes of Patients With Acute Acquired Non-accommodative Comitant Esotropia

PURPOSE

To report the clinical presentations, neuroimaging findings, and surgical outcomes in patients with acute acquired non-accommodative comitant esotropia (AACE).

METHODS

A retrospective review of records of all patients diagnosed as having AACE between January 2011 and December 2019 across three tertiary eye care centers was done. Cases with AACE onset after age 1 year were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on age of onset of esotropia: childhood (16 years or younger) and adult (older than 16 years). Surgical success was defined as postoperative horizontal deviation of 8 prism diopters (PD) or less at the last follow-up visit.

RESULTS

A total of 338 patients (220 males and 119 females; mean age at presentation: 12.60 ± 9.8 years) met the study criteria. The mean age at onset of esotropia in the childhood and adult onset groups was 3.61 ± 1.1 and 26.6 ± 8.7 years, respectively. There were significantly more individuals with myopia (30%) in the adult onset group compared to the childhood onset group (6%) (P = .004). Thirty-seven (16%) had positive neuroimaging findings (16.4% adult onset vs 9.4% childhood onset). A total of 148 (44%) patients underwent surgery for esotropia, and the overall success rate was 73%. Mean preoperative esotropia was comparable in either group (P = .20), but surgical success was better in the adult onset group (75.6% vs 66.3% in the childhood onset group). Mean duration of follow-up postoperatively was 13.6 ± 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Two-thirds of the patients had childhood onset of AACE. Intracranial pathology was found in 1 of 6 patients. Surgical success was better in the adult onset group, which was not influenced by preoperative esotropia, neuroimaging findings, or refractive status, but was dependent on age at onset of esotropia and duration between onset and intervention. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 20XX;X(X):XX-XX.].

Evaluation of the Necessity for Cycloplegia During Refraction of Chinese Children Between 4 and 10 Years Old

PURPOSE

To determine the effect of atropine cycloplegia on the refractive status of children aged 4 to 10 years and to evaluate the necessity of cycloplegia for different refractive states and ages during refractive correction.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients with low, moderate, and high myopia and hyperopia who were divided into two groups by age: 4 to 6 years (n = 5,320) and 7 to 10 years (n = 6,475). Every patient underwent cycloplegia with atropine sulphate. Refractive errors were measured by retinoscopy.

RESULTS

Within each group, the differences between cycloplegic and non-cycloplegic refractive errors (DIFF_C-N) were significant. DIFF_C-N was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.356, P < .001). The differences in refractive error between prescribed glasses and non-cycloplegic refraction (DIFF_G-N) were largest in the groups with high myopia (0.83 ± 1.15 diopters [D] in the 4 to 6 years group and 0.60 ± 1.47 D in the 7 to 10 years group). After cycloplegia, 62.5% of the patients with mild myopia became emmetropic or hyperopic in the 4 to 6 years group, and 11.3% of the patients with mild myopia became emmetropic or hyperopic in the 7 to 10 years group.

CONCLUSIONS

Without cycloplegia, autorefraction tends to overestimate refractive error in children with myopia. For accurate glasses prescriptions, cycloplegia should be used for children between 4 and 10 years, especially for children with high myopia. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2020;57(4):257-263.].

School bus accommodation-relaxing skiascopy

Objective

Accurate estimation of hyperopia and astigmatism is challenging in delayed children. Conventional skiascopy holds rows of increasing power ± lenses vertically in front of one eye. The school bus accommodation-relaxing skiascopy (SBA-RS) design holds child-friendly, lenses +1 to +10D horizontally so that a higher power fogs the nontested eye-relaxing accommodation without cycloplegia.

Methods

Design: Evaluation of diagnostic test. Subjects: Patients undergoing comprehensive eye examination in a pediatric ophthalmology practice. Cycloplegic (cyclopentolate 1%) retinoscopy was compared to dry SBA-RS and Retinomax (Righton, Japan) during pediatric eye examinations. Outcome measures: correlations, Chi-square and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

Of 470 patients with a median age 6 years, 238 were under the age of 60 months and 110 had developmental delays. For those with cycloplegic spherical equivalent hyperopia over 0.7 D, median (90% CI) value for retinoscopy was +2.63 D (+0.75, +6.88), for SBA-RS was +2.50 D (+0.50, +6.75) and less for 184 with Retinomax +1.88 D (-1.56, +6.13) but similar despite delays. Astigmatic cylinder SBA-RS +1.50 D (+0.25, +4.00) lagged retinoscopy +1.75 D (+0.75,+4.50) but Retinomax was greater +2.00 D (+0.25, +4.64). Cycloplegic refractive components such as spherical equivalent, cylinder, and J0 and J45 power vectors correlated highly and were near unity with SBA-RS and Retinomax with the latter deviating greater. SBA-RS screened for amblyopia risk factors up to 92% sensitive and 94% specific.

Conclusion

Accommodation-relaxing horizontal skiascopy very precisely estimates astigmatism power and axis and only lags cycloplegic refraction by about 0.15D in hyperopic patients fairly independent of neurodevelopmental delay. This technique can quickly estimate refraction even in delayed patients potentially reducing some need for cycloplegia.

Clinical Trials Registry

NCT03668067.

Esodeviation without correction for tapering hyperopia in refractive accommodative esotropia

OBJECTIVE

To investigate clinical features for prescription of tapered hyperopia in patients with refractive accommodative esotropia (RAET).

METHODS

The clinical features in patients with RAET who began tapering of hyperopia were analyzed. Within a range that can sustain corrected visual acuity and stereoacuity, patients were prescribed for tapered hyperopic correction by 0.25-diopters (D) interval, up to a maximum of 1.0 D. At every visit, visual acuity and esodeviation with and without correction, amount of tapered hyperopia, and near stereoacuity were measured.

RESULTS

One hundred and six patients were enrolled in this study. The follow-up period was 3.1 ± 0.2 years and frequency of visits was 6.3 ± 0.6. Tapering hyperopia was initiated at 6.1 ± 2.9 years, and baseline refraction was 7.6 ± 1.5 D. The esodeviation without correction was 24.3 ± 8.5 prism diopters (PD), and median near stereoacuity was 400 arc sec. The median amount of tapered hyperopia at visit was 0.5 D. At the final visit, there were no significant deteriorations in visual acuity, esodeviation with correction, or near stereoacuity (p > 0.05, all). The amount of tapered hyperopia was positively correlated with correction and the reduced esodeviation without correction (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Esodeviation without correction should be considered for tapering hyperopia for patients with RAET. Esodeviation without correction can be easily measured, and its decline may be used as a clinical indicator for tapering hyperopia.

Incidence of side effects of topical atropine sulfate and cyclopentolate hydrochloride for cycloplegia in Japanese children: a multicenter study

PURPOSE

To investigate the incidence rate and side effects of topical atropine sulfate and cyclopentolate hydrochloride for cycloplegia in children aged 15 years or under.

METHODS

This prospective study had been conducted at 9 institutions between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017 in patients 15 years old or younger who received either atropine or cyclopentolate for refraction assessment. The investigation included patient's age, symptoms, and whether patients with side effects had any systemic diseases.

RESULTS

A total of 811 patients (mean age ± SD, 4.6 ± 2.2 years) received atropine and 71 (8.8%) patients had side effects. Except in patients under two years old, 1% eye drops showed higher incidence rate of side effects than 0.5% and 0.25% eye drops. Side effects most frequently occurred following the initiation of the instillation on the first day. The symptoms included flush (29/71, 40.8%), fever (21/71, 30.0%), and both (11/71, 15.5%). A total of 2238 patients (5.7 ± 3.0 years) used cyclopentolate and 27 (1.2%) (4.0 ± 2.2 years) patients had side effects. The symptoms included drowsiness (10/27, 37.0%), red eye (4/27, 14.8%), fever (3/27, 11.1%), and flush (3/27, 11.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

Atropine has a side effect incidence rate 7 times higher than the incidence rate of cyclopentolate. Flush and fever are the most common side effects of atropine and drowsiness is the main side effect of cyclopentolate. These findings should be noted when examining cycloplegic refraction to manage amblyopia and strabismus in children.

Optimal Dosage of Cyclopentolate 1% for Complete Cycloplegia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

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.

Increase in esodeviation under cycloplegia with 0.5% tropicamide and 0.5% phenylephrine mixed eye drops in patients with hyperopia and esotropia

Backgroud

To evaluate the manifestations of increased esodeviation under cycloplegia with 0.5% tropicamide and 0.5% phenylephrine in children with hyperopia and esotropia.

Methods

We reviewed the medical record of 34 children with hyperopia and esotropia who underwent a prism alternate cover test before and after instillation of mixed eye drops containing 0.5% tropicamide and 0.5% phenylephrine between November 2014 and October 2015. Increased angle of deviation was defined as 10 prism diopters (PD) or greater deviation after cycloplegia. The factors related to increased angle of deviation were evaluated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

The median age was 5.0 years (interquartile range, 3.75 to 5.0) and 12 patients (35.3%) were male. The median manifested refractive (MR) was +2.13 diopters (D) (+0.92 to +4.47) and cycloplegic refractive (CR) was +3.50 D (+1.72 to +5.66). The median difference between MR and CR was +0.88 D (+0.50 to +1.28). Thirteen patients (38.2%) showed increased esodeviation under cycloplegia and all had accommodative esotropia. A larger difference between MR and CR was the only significant factor affecting increased esodeviation in both univariable (OR = 4.72, P = 0.029) and multivariable (OR = 5.22, P = 0.047) analyses.

Conclusion

Children with hyperopia and esotropia often showed an increased angle of deviation after instillation of 0.5% tropicamide and 0.5% phenylephrine. This phenomenon reminded the clinicians that cycloplegics can have a different effect on esodeviation and suggested that increased angle of esodeviation may help to reveal the latent deviation in some patients with hyperopia and esotropia.

Intraoperative intorsional traction test of the inferior oblique

PurposeWe present a novel variation of the traction test of the inferior oblique (IO) muscle. We demonstrate the correlation between the traction test and clinically graded IO overaction and describe the utility of this test to confirm IO weakening.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review on all patients who underwent IO surgery and intraoperative intorsion traction tests by a single surgeon over a 10-year period. We compared the traction test results, in 'clock hours' of freedom, before and after IO surgery. We correlated the torsion test at start of surgery with clinical observed IO overaction (scale 0 to +4) in 67 IO operations (56 myectomies, 6 anterior transpositions, 4 myotomies, and 1 recession) and compared to a control group of 23 eyes with minimal or no IO overaction.ResultsThe mean intorsion freedom in the eyes undergoing IO surgery was less than in control eyes (1.63 vs 1.89 clock hour; P<0.00005). There was a significant inverse relationship between grading of clinical IO action and the intorsion test result (Pearson rank coefficient, (r=-0.45; P<0.00001)). Myectomy produced the greatest change in torsion freedom (mean 1.32 clock hour), with all myectomies showing at least 1 clock hour extra freedom after the surgery.ConclusionsThe intorsion traction test confirmed that the IO stiffness correlated with pre-operative IO overaction grade. While it can be helpful in confirming that the entire IO muscle was weakened, it does not substitute for the careful inspection at the end of surgery to ensure there are no remaining IO fibers.

Changes in the anterior segment after cycloplegia with a biometer using swept-source optical coherence tomography

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the anterior segment of the eye after cycloplegia. A biometer combined with swept-source optical coherence tomography (SSOCT) was used for measurements. Patients with strabismus or amblyopia who underwent cycloplegia were included. The axial length, central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, and lens thickness were measured with the biometer-SSOCT system before and after cycloplegia. Altogether, 10 eyes of 10 patients (mean age 7.20 ± 3.08 years, range 4-14 years) were evaluated. The mean measurements before cycloplegia were 22.75 ± 0.96 mm axial length, 516 ± 33 μm central corneal thickness, 3.40 ± 0.21 mm anterior chamber depth, and 3.77 ± 0.26 mm lens thickness. The corresponding values after cycloplegia were 22.75 ± 0.95 mm, 519 ± 34 μm, 3.68 ± 0.16 mm, and 3.42 ± 0.20 mm, respectively. The mean lens thickness had significantly decreased (P < 0.001) after cycloplegia, and the mean anterior chamber depth had significantly increased (P < 0.001). The means of the axial length (P = 0.66) and central corneal thickness (P = 0.17) had not changed significantly. The change in lens thickness was significantly correlated with the change in anterior chamber depth (r = -0.73, P = 0.02). The new biometer-SSOCT combination proved useful for accurately detecting changes in the anterior segment of the eye after cycloplegia in pediatric patients. The biometer's measurements indicated increased anterior chamber depth and decreased lens thickness after cycloplegia. The anterior chamber depth increased relative to the decrease in lens thickness.

Cycloplegic Refraction in Hyperopic Children: Effectiveness of a 0.5% Tropicamide and 0.5% Phenylephrine Addition to 1% Cyclopentolate Regimen

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of a cycloplegic regimen using 0.5% tropicamide and 0.5% phenylephrine (Tropherine, Hanmi Pharm), in addition to 1% cyclopentolate, in hyperopic children.

Methods

The medical records of hyperopic patients below the age of 14 years who had undergone cycloplegic retinoscopy were retrospectively reviewed. Cycloplegic refractions were performed using one of two cycloplegic regimens. Regimen 1 was a Tropherine-added regimen comprising the administration of one drop of 1% cyclopentolate followed by two to three drops of Tropherine added at 15-minute intervals. Regimen 2 was a cyclopentolate-only regimen comprising the administration of three to four drops of 1% cyclopentolate at 15-minute intervals. The mean difference between noncycloplegic and cycloplegic refraction was compared between the two regimens.

Results

A total of 308 eyes of 308 hyperopic children were included. The mean difference (±standard deviation) in the spherical equivalent (SE) between cycloplegic and noncycloplegic refraction was significantly larger in regimen 2 than in regimen 1, with values of +1.70 ± 1.03 diopters (D) and +1.25 ± 0.89 D, respectively (p=0.001). The SE change after cycloplegia was significantly different between the two regimens only in patients aged 5 years or younger (p=0.001), particularly in those with high hyperopia with an SE ≥5 D (p=0.005) or fully accommodative esotropia (p=0.009). There was no significant difference between the two regimens in patients older than 5 years, regardless of the presence of high hyperopia or fully accommodative esotropia.

Conclusions

The Tropherine-added regimen exerted a weaker cycloplegic effect than the cyclopentolate-only regimen, particularly in children under the age of 5 years with high hyperopia or fully accommodative esotropia. However, the difference in refraction between the two regimens was small. A Tropherine-added regimen can be effective in hyperopic children, with less associated discomfort than the instillation of cyclopentolate.

Effectiveness study of atropine for progressive myopia in Europeans

PurposeRandomized controlled trials have shown the efficacy of atropine for progressive myopia, and this treatment has become the preferred pattern for this condition in Taiwan. This study explores the effectiveness of atropine 0.5% treatment for progressive high myopia and adherence to therapy in a non-Asian country.MethodsAn effectiveness study was performed in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Overall 77 children (mean age 10.3 years±2.3), of European (n=53), Asian (n=18), and African (n=6) descent with progressive myopia were prescribed atropine 0.5% eye drops daily. Both parents and children filled in a questionnaire regarding adverse events and adherence to therapy. A standardized eye examination including cycloplegic refraction and axial length was performed at baseline and 1, 4, and 12 months after initiation of therapy.ResultsMean spherical equivalent at baseline was -6.6D (±3.3). The majority (60/77, 78%) of children adhered to atropine treatment for 12 months; 11 of the 17 children who discontinued therapy did so within 1 month after the start of therapy. The most prominent reported adverse events were photophobia (72%), followed by reading problems (38%), and headaches (22%). The progression rate of spherical equivalent before treatment (-1.0D/year±0.7) diminished substantially during treatment (-0.1D/year±0.7) compared to those who ceased therapy (-0.5D/year±0.6; P=0.03).ConclusionsDespite the relatively high occurrence of adverse events, our study shows that atropine can be an effective and sustainable treatment for progressive high myopia in Europeans.

Early alignment versus delayed alignment in patients with hyperopia and esotropia

PURPOSE

To compare the clinical outcomes in hyperopic and esotropic patients with and without early alignment after spectacle correction.

METHODS

The medical records of patients with hyperopia and esotropia who were initially treated at a single center with full spectacle correction of their hyperopia from 1994 to 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with ≤10(Δ) of residual esotropia after 2 months were assigned to the early-alignment group; those with >10(Δ) were assigned to the delayed-alignment group. The main outcome measure was final stereoacuity of each group.

RESULTS

Of 136 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 85 (63%) were aligned after 2 months, whereas 51 (37%) had residual esotropia. The early-alignment group had more patients with high-grade stereoacuity ≤100 arcsec (37% vs 19%) and significantly better stereoacuity results overall (P = 0.037). Almost 70% of patients with poor alignment at 2 months required strabismus surgery, whereas 30% improved after over 1 year in spectacles alone, achieving a final alignment of ≤10(Δ) without surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that earlier correction of esotropia results in better final stereoacuity. The desire for early correction, however, should be tempered by the knowledge that 30% of patients with poor early alignment may eventually achieve alignment without surgery, a result that should be considered when counseling parents about the need for strabismus surgery.

LASIK as an alternative line to treat noncompliant esotropic children

PURPOSE

To assess the safety and efficacy of laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in facilitating strabismus management in noncompliant children with fully accommodative esotropia.

SETTING

Ebsar Eye Center, Benha University (Benha, Egypt).

METHODS

The study comprised 20 eyes of ten consecutive patients with accommodative esotropia. All patients were noncompliant with glasses and had refractive stability. They received brief general anesthesia and had bilateral LASIK using Wavelight® Algretto Wave® Eye-Q Excimer Laser (Alcon, Inc, Hunenberg, Switzerland) to fully correct their hyperopic refractive errors aiming to achieve orthophoria. Preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity, cycloplegic refraction, angle of squint, and any LASIK complications were recorded. Follow-up period was 9 months.

RESULTS

The age of patients ranged 5.1-9.2 years and the hyperopic error range was +3.5 D to +6.75 D, with anisometropia 2 D or less. No patient had decreased best corrected visual acuity or loss of fusion ability. The postoperative refractive error ranged from -0.75 D to +1.5 D at the end of the study period. All patients achieved orthophoria. No significant intraoperative or postoperative complications were recorded.

CONCLUSION

LASIK appears to be effective and relatively safe to treat accommodative esotropic children by reducing their hyperopic refractive error, however, patient selection is critical. Larger studies with longer follow-up are necessary to determine its long-term effects.

The maximal tolerable reduction in hyperopic correction in patients with refractive accommodative esotropia: a 6-month follow-up study

PURPOSE

To investigate the optimal amount of safe under-correction in patients with refractive accommodative esotropia.

DESIGN

Prospective noncomparative interventional case series.

METHODS

Patients with refractive accommodative esotropia wore trial glasses based on cycloplegic refraction, then -0.25 diopters (D) of minus sphere lenses were placed on both lenses of the trial glasses and the deviation was measured. Minus spheres of -0.25 D were continuously added until the angle of deviation increased; the minus spheres added just before the deviation increase were defined as the maximal tolerable amount of under-correction. A total of 38 patients were prescribed under-corrected spectacles up to -1.5 D and followed for 6 months.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients underwent the maximal tolerable amount of under-correction and 7 underwent -1.5 D of under-correction. A mean -0.89 D of under-correction was performed. We observed no deterioration in visual acuity, stereoacuity, or fusional ability during the follow-up period in any of the patients. Small increase in the angle of deviation of 2 prism diopters was noted in 2 patients. The mean spherical equivalent refractive error of both eyes (P = .012) and age of onset (P = .006) showed strong positive correlations with the maximal tolerable amount of under-correction.

CONCLUSIONS

A reduction in hyperopic correction by the maximal tolerable amount of under-correction was performed without notable short-term side effects. The spherical equivalent refractive error and age of onset appear to be useful clinical indices in determining the appropriate amount of under-correction.

Different corrections of hypermetropic errors in the successful treatment of hypermetropic amblyopia in children 3 to 7 years of age

PURPOSE

To evaluate the improvement in visual acuity (VA) in children 3 to 7 years old with hypermetropic amblyopia after full or partial hypermetropic correction.

DESIGN

Retrospective interventional case series.

METHODS

Medical records of 182 children with hypermetropic amblyopia treated with partial or full hypermetropic correction from January 1, 2001 to July 31, 2007 were evaluated. Improvement in the VA of the amblyopic eye, changes in the power of glasses, and the reduction in hypermetropia were assessed.

RESULTS

Ninety-three children underwent full hypermetropic correction and the mean VA of their amblyopic eyes improved by 0.46 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR). Eighty-one children underwent partial hypermetropic correction and the mean VA of their amblyopic eyes improved by 0.48 logMAR. The reduction in hypermetropia was 0.44 diopters (D)/year and 0.43 D/year, respectively. Changes in glasses at four to eight weeks of follow-up were noted in 11 children receiving full correction, all of whom were older than 5 years. Ten children, aged 3 to 5 years, with hypermetropia of more than 3 D and receiving partial correction, required a change of glasses and most (seven children) had underdiagnosed accommodative esotropia.

CONCLUSIONS

Both full correction and partial correction of hypermetropic errors improved the VA of 3 to 7-year-old children with hypermetropic amblyopia. The reduction in hypermetropia was similar after full and partial hypermetropic correction. However, for children older than 5 years, full correction should be undertaken with care because the accompanying blur at distance can hinder compliance. For younger children, especially with a high degree of hypermetropia, full correction might be required to avoid strabismus, which would cancel the effects of spectacle correction.

Comparison of tropicamide and cyclopentolate for cycloplegic refractions in myopic adult refractive surgery patients

PURPOSE

To compare tropicamide 1%, a shorter-acting cycloplegic agent, with cyclopentolate 1% for cycloplegic refractions in adult refractive surgery patients.

SETTING

Navy Refractive Surgery Center, Ophthalmology, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California.

METHODS

The study was prospective, single center, with randomized sequencing of cycloplegic agent; each patient received both agents. Thirty consecutive myopic adult refractive surgery patients (mean age 35.4 years) participated. A complete preoperative examination, including cycloplegic refraction, was obtained twice, 1 week apart. The patient and the examiner were masked to the medication. Main outcome measures included cycloplegic and manifest refractions, best corrected distance acuity, near-point accommodation, pupil diameters, and subjective appraisal of experience with cycloplegic agents.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight of 30 patients completed both examinations. Both eyes were measured, but comparisons were limited to right and left eyes, independently. No statistically significant difference was found between the tropicamide and cyclopentolate cycloplegic refractions (mean difference in MSE +/- SD, OD=0.054 +/- 0.214 diopters (D), t=1.33, P=.10; OS=0.054 +/- 0.253 D, t=1.12, P=.14). Five eyes of 3 patients had a difference of 0.50 D or greater between the 2 agents; less myopia with cyclopentolate. Near-point testing revealed less residual accommodation with cyclopentolate (difference in MSE, OD=-0.27 +/- 0.51 D, t=2.68, P=.006; OS=-0.32 +/- 0.49 D, t=3.46, P=.001). Subjectively, 24 of 28 (86%) patients preferred tropicamide, 1 (4%) preferred cyclopentolate, and 3 (10%) had no preference.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no statistically significant difference in mean cycloplegic refractions. Cyclopentolate was more effective than tropicamide in reducing accommodative amplitude in adult myopes (near-point testing). Patients strongly preferred tropicamide.

Comparative study on the safety and efficacy of different cycloplegic agents in children with darkly pigmented irides

BACKGROUND

The ideal cycloplegic drug that is safe, effective and convenient in children is not yet available. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of three cycloplegic regimens in hyperopic children with pigmented irides. The responses to cycloplegia in different age groups and presence of strabismus were also compared.

METHODS

Tropicamide 0.5% and phenylephrine 0.5% (regimen I), tropicamide 1.0% and cyclopentolate 1.0% (regimen II), and atropine 1.0% (regimen III) were evaluated in 25 children using a crossover study design. Cycloplegic refractions were assessed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the children was 5.7 +/- 2.0 years (range 2.5-10.8 years). Six (24.0%) of them had strabismus. The spherical equivalent (SE) refraction for regimens I, II and III were +5.11 +/- 2.04 D, +5.29 +/- 1.89 D and +5.71 +/- 1.90 D, respectively, and were significant different from the manifest SE (+3.95 +/- 2.17 D) (P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between regimen I and II in children without strabismus (P = 0.258) or aged older than 5 years (P > 0.050).

CONCLUSION

In older children, regimen I was as effective as regimen II and can be used to avoid cyclopentolate toxicity.

Influence of the time interval between instillation of two drops of cyclopentolate 1% on refraction and dilation of the pupil in children

PURPOSE

Because the usual length of time to instill two drops of cyclopentolate 1% (five to ten minutes) is time-consuming and inconvenient to clinical staff as well as to the child and the child's parents, we investigated the influence of the time interval between the instillation of the two drops on refraction and mydriasis in children.

METHODS

We conducted a crossover study on 48 children at the Tel-Aviv Medical Center. Gender, iris color, ethnic origin, and age were recorded. Two cyclopentolate 1% eyedrops were instilled at a one- or five-minute time interval. Retinoscopy was performed and the mydriatic effect was recorded. One week later, the procedure was repeated, this time with a different time interval.

RESULTS

The time interval between the instillation of the two drops had no significant influence on retinoscopy results (P = .65 and P = .50 for right and left eyes, respectively) or on pupil dilation (P = .377 and P = .113 for right and left eyes, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Instilling two drops of cyclopentolate 1% one minute apart is as effective as instilling them five minutes apart.

Atropine cycloplegia: how many instillations does one need?

Atropine is accepted generally as the most efficient cycloplegic agent. Although it is considered a relatively safe drug, toxic local and systemic side effects do occur. The recommended regimen for atropine cycloplegia has been 7 to 10 applications within 3 to 4 days. We compared the cycloplegic effect of four instillations of atropine drops to the effect of eight instillations. The results showed that the cycloplegia obtained after eight instillations was not greater than after four instillations.

Cycloplegic refraction in children: single-dose-atropinization versus three-day-atropinization

A new scheme for refractive measurements under atropine cycloplegia was tested in 90 strabismic children aged two to several years. Refraction was determined by an autorefractor (CANON R 10) 90 minutes after application of two drops of atropine (0.5% atropine children < 2 1/2 years; 1.0% atropine children > 2 1/2 years) and compared with the results after 3 days of receiving 1 atropine eyedrop 3 times daily. In 86.5% the spherical equivalents differ not more than 1.0 diopter (p = 0.05); the correlation was 0.99. Astigmatic corrections were in agreement in 95.5%, the axis of cylinders in 93.0% (p = 0.05); the correlations were 0.95 and 0.97. The residual accommodation 90 minutes after 2 drops of atropine was not more than 1 diopter in all children. The additional cycloplegic effect of the three-day-atropinization was only 0.5 diopters. This new type of application allows a more rapid and less toxic assessment of refraction than the usual three-day-atropinization.

A cross-over study of the cycloplegic effects of a single topical application of cyclopentolate-phenylephrine and routine atropinization for 3.5 days

Static refraction in children after the topical instillation of atropine twice a day during 3.5 days was compared with the refraction after a single instillation of one drop of 0.85% cyclopentolate + 1.5% phenylephrine in a randomized cross-over study. Atropine eye drops were applied by the parents at home, while the combination drop was applied by personnel at the eye clinic. Refraction was determined by retinoscopy in 40 children (3-6 years) in a single blind manner. No statistically significant difference in cycloplegic effect was found between the 2 methods. The results imply that in clinical practice a single instillation of a combination of 0.85% cyclopentolate and 1.5% phenylephrine can be substituted for conventional "full" atropinization during 3.5 days.

Medical management of accommodative esotropia

Cycloplegic drugs are the principal medications used in the diagnosis of accommodative esotropia. The same cycloplegics can be used as a "medical patch" in the treatment of amblyopia. Miotics may be as good as glasses in controlling accommodative esotropia but are almost never better. The response to miotics does not rule out the presence of accommodative esotropia. Miotics also may be used as a supplementary agent to glasses, bifocals, or surgery in the treatment of esotropia. The most widely used miotics today include phospholine iodide and DFP with iris cysts being the major local side effect in the eye with the use of miotics in children. Miotics and other drugs are valuable tools in the treatment of accommodative esotropia; however, the use must be correlated with other tools, including surgery, patching, glasses, and orthoptic exercises.