Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Children often resist instillation of mydriatic drops for dilated fundus evaluation. As cycloplegic sprays have proven useful, this study's aim was to demonstrate efficacy of a mydriatic spray.

METHODS:

Twenty-two healthy subjects, ages 2 to 8 years, participated in the study. All but two had dark brown irides. Subjects were given either one drop each of 1% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine in each eye or one application of mydriatic spray (containing concentrations of 0.5% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine) to each closed eyelid. Pupils were measured with a pupil gauge before drug delivery and every 10 min thereafter, for 40 min.

RESULTS:

Repeated measures analysis of variance for the five time intervals demonstrated no significant difference between the two application methods nor in the method/time interaction, but a statistically significant increase in pupil size over time (p < 0.0005) for each method. A t-test revealed no statistically significant difference in pupil size (p > 0.05) between the two methods of drug administration at 40 min after application.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study suggests that use of mydriatic sprays on closed eyelids is as efficacious as use of mydriatic drops in open eyes for children.