Cycloplegia

Cycloplegia is the deliberate or incidental paralysis of the ciliary muscle inside the eye. That muscle normally adjusts the lens to focus at different distances; when it is paralysed, the eye loses the ability to accommodate, and the pupil widens. Eye specialists across Asia, including in Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, routinely induce cycloplegia to obtain accurate refraction measurements in children and to examine the retina more thoroughly.

Medicine used to treat Cycloplegia

Cyclogyl

Cyclopentolate

1%

Designed to target dilation of the pupil and temporary paralysis of the ciliary muscle for ocular examinations.

From $4.67 / bottle View

How cycloplegia is induced

Cycloplegic agents are applied as eye drops to block the muscarinic receptors that control the ciliary muscle. Cyclopentolate is one of the most widely used agents for this purpose; it acts within about 30 to 60 minutes and wears off within 24 hours, making it practical for clinic use. Related treatments fall within the broader eye care category.

During the effect, near vision is blurred and eyes become sensitive to bright light. These effects resolve as the drug wears off. Patients should avoid driving or detailed close work for the duration, and wearing sunglasses outdoors helps with the light sensitivity.