A pre-operative mydriatic regime using a single application of tropicamide Novel Ophthalmic Delivery System and guttae phenylephrine 10%.

Tropicamide Novel Ophthalmic Delivery System (NODS) and guttae (g.) phenylephrine 10% was applied once, 2 hours before cataract surgery, as an alternative to our standard pre-operative regime of g. cyclopentolate 1% and g. phenylephrine 10% used four times before surgery. The two treatment groups were compared using a randomised, prospective, observer-masked study design. The horizontal pupil diameter was significantly smaller using the new regime but the per-operative decrease in diameter was not significantly different, suggesting that surgical miosis was not influenced by reducing the number of mydriatic applications. There was no difference in the subjective grading of the pupil, suggesting that adequate mydriasis suitable for cataract surgery was obtained using the alternative regime. No major complications were documented in relation to the use of NODS. We discuss why less intensive mydriasis is likely to be as efficacious and describe its potential advantages.