STUDY ON COMPARISON OF EFFECTIVENESS BETWEEN CYCLOPENTOLATE AND TROPICAMIDE IN EVALUATING REFRACTIVE ERROR IN CHILDREN BETWEEN 6-16 YEARS

Aims and Objectives: To compare the effectiveness between cyclopentolate and tropicamide in evaluating refractive error among children between 6-16 years. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in GVPIHC & MT in the department of ophthalmology. Sample of 90 children were taken. One eye (left) of the patient is dilated with cyclopentolate and simultaneously the other eye (right) with tropicamide. Cyclopentolate eye drops 0.5%, Tropicamide eye drops 1% are instilled into other eye for about 3 times for every 15min for about, and patient is asked to close eyes. Auto refractometer and subjective verification are done before and after administering cycloplegic drugs. Participants are evaluated on day 1 and 2 to evaluate post- cycloplegic effect. Results: The study predominantly consisted of children in age group of 9-11 years (34.44%) and 12-14 year (28.89%) age groups, where male there was predominance of 53.33% and 46.67% female, with major complaint of headache (46.67%). Hypermetropia was the most prevalent refractive error (40.00%). Tropicamide achieved maximum mydriasis than cyclopentolate (mean 25.6 vs. 36.8 minutes, p<0.001). Conclusion: The study confirms that both cyclopentolate and tropicamide are effective cycloplegic drugs in children, but Cyclopentolate causes higher cycloplegic effect and hyperopic refractive error. Tropicamide had a very faster onset of action with peak mydriasis at 25.6 minutes, 36.8 minutes with cyclopentolate (p<0.001). In older kids (12-16 years) or in the case of myopia or low refractive error, tropicamide may be the preferred drug.