Diagnostic Agents in the Pediatric Eye Examination

Abstract

In this chapter, the author reviews the most common topical ophthalmic drops for diagnostic use in a pediatric eye exam. Topical diagnostic agents have become an integral part of an ocular health examination even in infants and young children. Topical local anesthetics are commonly used for eye procedures such as tonometry, gonioscopy, and minor office procedures. The proper use of mydriatic drugs allows clinicians to identify and diagnose various ocular abnormalities that might otherwise go undetected. Cycloplegic refraction is a reliable procedure to determine the true refractive status of patients with accommodative esotropia, pseudomyopia, and latent hyperopia. Cycloplegic refraction is also useful in non-communicative or uncooperative patients and when a functional vision problem is suspected such as when visual acuities do not correlate with symptoms or clinical expecteds. Many times, diagnostic drops can help a clinician be more confident of the patient's clinical findings.