For cycloplegic refraction of a 6-year-old child with suspected accommodative esotropia, a cycloplegic agent with a cycloplegic action of roughly 24 hours and full recovery within about a day is required. The most appropriate single choice is:

• A Tropicamide
• B Atropine
• C Homatropine
• D Cyclopentolate ✓

Explanation

Cyclopentolate provides adequate cycloplegia for refraction with onset in 30 to 60 minutes, a peak effect at about 25 minutes, and recovery within approximately 24 hours. Tropicamide is a weak cycloplegic lasting only a few hours, unsuitable for children with high accommodative tone. Homatropine lasts 2 to 3 days and atropine up to 7 to 10 days or longer, both far exceeding the required duration.

Reference: Parsons' Diseases of the Eye, 23rd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.