AIM To compare the mydriatic efficacy of an ophthalmic insert (Mydriasert, MY) versus phenylephrine and tropicamide (PT) eye drops. METHODS Two controlled, prospective, randomized, single-blind studies were performed. In the first study, a total of 80 eyes from 40 outpatient-clinic patients were analyzed. PT drops were applied to the right eye, and a MY device was inserted in the left eye for...

Evidence suggests that in some species (cats, rabbits, and possibly humans) alpha-adrenoceptors in the iris dilator muscle are "atypical" in that they cannot be readily classified by conventional criteria. This study was undertaken in an attempt to characterize the alpha-adrenoceptor subtype(s) mediating sympathetically elicited mydriasis in rats. Frequency-response pupillary dilator curves wer...

AIMS To determine which screening and monitoring tests for diabetic retinopathy are most effective and under what circumstances. METHODS A systematic review of the English language literature, published from 1983 to April 1999. RESULTS Available studies are generally limited in their ability to answer the important questions on the effectiveness of tests for early detection of diabetic reti...

In addition to its centrally mediated hypotensive action, clonidine causes a decrease in intraocular pressure associated with a long-lasting mydriasis. The present study was conducted to determine to what extent this drug-induced pupillary dilation is of central or peripheral origin. Pupil size was observed in cats anesthetized with pentobarbital. Clonidine (1 to 100 mug per kilogram, intraveno...

Botulinum toxin inhibits acetylcholine release and therefore could cause mydriasis. We report a case of acute angle-closure glaucoma which occurred shortly after a series of injections of botulinum toxin round the eyelids for blepharospasm.

Cataract surgery is performed more easily if mydriasis can be maintained until the intraocular lens has been inserted. Intraocular irrigation with adrenaline is thought to be of benefit in this respect, and is used by some surgeons but not others. This prospective double blind controlled trial assessed the efficacy and safety of using perioperative adrenaline during extracapsular cataract surge...

Lupinus mutabilis (LM) is a widespread species of lupin whose bean is consumed not only for its high caloric value but also as a homeopathic medicine, used for a diverse range of presumed clinical properties, including as an analgesic and an antidiabetic. The properties of lupine alkaloids are responsible for their anticholinergic toxicity in both the autonomic nervous system and the central ne...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Well dilated pupils make eye surgery easier. A classic twin study was established to examine the relative importance of genes and environment in the variance of pupil size after mydriasis, and to examine the effects of other factors such as age, iris colour, and refractive error. METHODS 506 twin pairs, 226 monozygotic (MZ) and 280 dizygotic (DZ), aged 49-79 (mean age 62.2 yea...