Possible allergic reactions to cyclopentolate hydrochloride: case reports with literature review of uses and adverse reactions

Cyclopentolate has been widely used as a cycloplegic and mydriatic agent for over 30 years. It has gained widespread use as the cycloplegic drug of first choice for most children over the age of I year and allows many optometrists and ophthalmologists lo carry out quick, successful cycloplegic refractions with few complications. During this time very few side‐effects have been reported with the most commonly used 1 % solution. This paper outlines two cases in which a possible allergic‐type reaction occurred shortly after the instillation of 1% cyclopentolate hydrochloride in ‘Minims’ form (Smith and Nephew). This article also reviews the uses and side‐effects of cyclopentolate and aims to warn practitioners about the possibility of such reactions, ways of avoiding their occurrence and suitable measures to take should they occur.