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Cycloplegia

AI overview

Cycloplegia is paralysis of the ciliary muscle of the eye, resulting in a loss of accommodation.

Key points
  • Cycloplegia causes inability to focus the eye due to ciliary muscle paralysis
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    Inability to focus the eye due to ciliary muscle paralysis
  • The curvature of the lens cannot be adjusted to focus on nearby objects
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    the curvature of the lens can no longer be adjusted to focus on nearby objects
  • Cycloplegia causes similar problems to presbyopia
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    This results in similar problems as those caused by presbyopia
  • Cycloplegia with mydriasis is usually caused by topical muscarinic antagonists
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    Cycloplegia with accompanying mydriasis (dilation of pupil) is usually due to topical application of muscarinic antagonists such as atropine and cyclopentolate
Symptoms
  • Loss of accommodation occurs
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    resulting in a loss of accommodation
  • Inability to focus on nearby objects
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    can also no longer focus on close-by objects
  • Pupil dilation may accompany cycloplegia
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    Cycloplegia with accompanying mydriasis (dilation of pupil)
Diagnosis
  • Cycloplegic refraction is used to determine the true refractive error of the eye
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    to paralyze the ciliary muscle in order to determine the true refractive error of the eye
  • Belladonna alkaloids are used for testing refraction error and eye examination
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    Belladonna alkaloids are used for testing the error of refraction and examination of eye
  • Cycloplegics are used during eye examination to visualize the retina
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    are used as such during eye examination to better visualize the retina
Treatment
  • Cycloplegic drugs are muscarinic receptor antagonists including atropine, cyclopentolate, homatropine, scopolamine and tropicamide
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    Cycloplegic drugs are generally muscarinic receptor antagonists such as atropine , cyclopentolate , homatropine , scopolamine and tropicamide
  • Indicated for cycloplegic refraction and treatment of uveitis
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    They are indicated for use in cycloplegic refraction (to paralyze the ciliary muscle in order to determine the true refractive error of the eye) and the treatment of uveitis
  • All cycloplegics are also mydriatic agents
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    All cycloplegics are also mydriatic (pupil dilating) agents
  • Strong sunglasses are provided for comfort after examination
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    when the patient leaves the office strong sunglasses are provided for comfort
Prognosis

The pupil in the normal eye regains its function when the drugs are metabolized or carried away; ophthalmologist-used drugs wear off in hours, though some can cause dilation for several days.

AI-synthesized from the Wikipedia article “Cycloplegia”. Not medical advice. Verify source →
Cycloplegia
Other namesCiliary muscle paresis,[1] Paralysis of accommodation
Dilated pupil (mydriasis) caused by cyclopentolate instilled into both eyes
SpecialtyOphthalmology 

Cycloplegia is paralysis of the ciliary muscle of the eye, resulting in a loss of accommodation.[2] Because of the paralysis of the ciliary muscle, the curvature of the lens can no longer be adjusted to focus on nearby objects. This results in similar problems as those caused by presbyopia, in which the lens has lost elasticity and can also no longer focus on close-by objects. Cycloplegia with accompanying mydriasis (dilation of pupil) is usually due to topical application of muscarinic antagonists such as atropine and cyclopentolate.

Belladonna alkaloids are used for testing the error of refraction and examination of eye.

Cycloplegic drugs are generally muscarinic receptor antagonists such as atropine, cyclopentolate, homatropine, scopolamine and tropicamide. They are indicated for use in cycloplegic refraction (to paralyze the ciliary muscle in order to determine the true refractive error of the eye) and the treatment of uveitis. All cycloplegics are also mydriatic (pupil dilating) agents and are used as such during eye examination to better visualize the retina.

When cycloplegic drugs are used as a mydriatic to dilate the pupil, the pupil in the normal eye regains its function when the drugs are metabolized or carried away. Some cycloplegic drugs can cause dilation of the pupil for several days. The ones specifically used by ophthalmologists or optometrists wear off in hours, but when the patient leaves the office strong sunglasses are provided for comfort.

  1. "Cycloplegia (Concept Id: C0235238)". National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  2. "cycloplegia" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary