comparative study of the effect of mydriacil and phenylephrine eye drops on the intra-ocular pressure of normal subjects

ABSTRACT

The effect of Mydriacil [Tropicamide] 1 percent and phenylephrine [Neo-synephrine] 10 percent eye drops used frequently as mydriatics in daily ophthalmic practice on the intra-ocular pressure [IOP] of 30 normal subjects [60 years], was studied. Each drug was applied to one eye of the same individual. There was a minimal rise in IOP from the pretreatment level in 43.33 percent of cases [13/30] after application of Mydriacil ranging between 1-5 mmHg. after 30 minutes, and a drop in IOP in 10 percent [3/30] between 1-3 mmHg. With phenylephrine the rise occurred in 36.67 percent [11/30] and ranged between 1-6 mmHg. The drop of IOP occurred in 20 percent [6/30] of eyes between 1-3 mmHg. Although the change in IOP in all cases was statistically insignificant, it is preferable to examine the angle, especially in dark pigmented irides prior to dilating the pupil with either drug