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.