[Objective refraction in black children: cyclopentolate and tropicamide combination, a reliable alternative to atropine?].

Introduction: Cycloplegia allows for an objective refraction in children. Atropine is the gold standard but causes prolonged blurred vision. Cyclopentolate is less effective but less disabling. Tropicamide is a weak cycloplegic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a cyclopentolate and tropicamide combination (CTA) versus atropine for refraction in black children.
Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective study between October 2011 and July 2012 on all children seen in consultation. Objective refraction was performed after cycloplegia with cyclopentolate 0.5% combined with tropicamide 0.5%, and then after cycloplegia with atropine.
Results: Thirty-three patients were recruited, 14 boys and 19 girls. The average age was 9.9 years. The mean age of the patients was 9.9 years. Astigmatism was found in 96.9% of cases. It was 1.34±1.32 diopters with CTA and 1.35±1.22 diopters with atropine. The mean axis was 98.15 and 99.8, respectively. Hyperopia and myopia were found in 39 and 27 eyes, respectively with ACT (average 1.73 and 5.37 diopters), and in 41 and 19 eyes with atropine (average 2.06 and 6.11 diopters).
Discussion: There is a good correlation of results with regards to cylindrical and spherical refractive error between the two protocols. Atropine is the best cycloplegic, however ACT provides reliable results.
Conclusion: The cyclopentolate-tropicamide combination is satisfactory for routine cycloplegia in children.
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