Cycloplegic refractions in Japanese children: a comparison of atropine and cyclopentolate.

We examined refractions of 102 eyes in 51 Japanese children after the topical instillation of cycloplegics. Cyclopentolate 1% was instilled 3 times after 5-min intervals, and refractions were evaluated 45 min after the last instillation. Atropine, 0.5% or 1%, was instilled twice daily for 7 days. Refractions were measured by an autorefractometer. The mean refraction in 102 eyes measured after atropine instillation was +3.07 dpt, and the mean after cyclopentolate instillation was +2.35 dpt. The mean difference in the direction of meridians of maximal refractions measured after atropine and cyclopentolate was 22 degrees. Our finding showed that atropine instillation may be adequate to determine exact refractions in Japanese children.