[Comparative study of cyclopentolate drops versus spray in cycloplegia in children]. / Etude comparative de la cycloplégie par cyclopentolate en gouttes et en spray chez des enfants.

INTRODUCTION: Instillation of cyclopentolate drops with their irritant effect is difficult for children to bear. The purpose of this study was to compare the tolerance and efficacy of cyclopentolate spray versus drops. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cycloplegic effect of cyclopentolate spray prepared and conditioned in the hospital was compared with drops in 62 eyes of 32 children consulting in our department. The nonparametric Wilcoxon test for paired data was used to assume there was no significant difference between the refractive measurements with spray or drops. RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was 6.3 years (SD, 3.4 years). The refractive values ranged from -17.3 diopters to +8 spheric diopters and -4 to 0 cylindric diopters. The nonparametric Wilcoxon test for paired data showed no significant difference between cycloplegic measurements with drops or spray. CONCLUSION: Cyclopentolate spray is a good alternative to traditional drops, leading to equal cycloplegic efficacy but greater tolerance in children and easier administration by the nursing staff.