Dilating pupils for eye exam

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How long did your dc's pupils stay dilated for after the drops went in? Thank you.

Quite a few hours, most of the rest of the day. They were ok by morning

The effects of the eye drops tend to last 5-8 hours. I'd really recommend taking sunglasses for your DC to wear on the way home, just to take the edge off the brightness.

They struggle for a few hours afterwards.

Sunglasses and hand hold if they're small as they'll stumble/trip more.

Ages, the rest of the day.

Thanks. The drops went in on Tues pm, and my dc is still affected today. We were told to put them in 4 times, every ten mins, before the exam so more than average. Dc is 8, he says the affects are slowly wearing off, he isn't so disorientated, but pupils are still v dilated. I am hoping it is just that more than average was put in so it is taking longer to wear off?

4 times?! We've always had them put in at the appointment, only ever 1 dose. Have never had to do it ourself

I know..... we aren't in England at the moment - I checked with pharmacist and they said "normal" ie for here. I am really hoping it just wears off.

My DD had the drops when she was three years old and the effects lasted nearly three days. She had them put in four times too. Now she's older, it seems to wear off sooner.

That does sound unusual.. do you know what the drops were called?

Skiacol 0.5% - france

Oh I see, that’s a different medication than what I assumed they’d have had. In that case the dilation normally lasts at least 24 hours and it can last a few days, so it does sound as if it’s not that unusual and that’s backed up by what the pharmacist said. Sounds like a massive dose though, but I guess they have different guidelines in France. Hopefully it won’t last too much longer!

Thanks. I kinda wish I hadn't been so diligent putting it in! It also involved a great deal of bribery and corruption! Poor thing.

It’s just the regular one we use here under a different name (cyclopentate 0.5%).
We don’t usually get patients to put in so many though, but yes, if he’s had a higher dose then it will take longer to wear off. Should be back to normal tomorrow. As long as the pupils look round don’t worry.

It’s just the regular one we use here under a different name (cyclopentate 0.5%).

See I've never come across cyclopentate being used for eye examinations really, I thought tropicamide was more commonly used, at least where I am. You learn something new every day!

Are you both ophthalmologists? They are slightly less dilated tonight plus he coped with after school tennis, so I think we are ok - fingers crossed - thank you.

Do you know why they might go for the higher dose here? Just out of interest?

I’m a doctor but not an ophthalmologist, I did work in ophthalmology briefly but that was years ago. The only thing I can think of is that sometimes if someone has very dark eyes that it can be necessary to give a higher dose to get the same effect. Maybe underneaththeash has some insight though as it sounds as if she has more up to date knowledge in the area!

Glad the effects seem to be wearing off at any rate!

@SpuriouserAndSpuriouser - tropicamide is used for dilation and cyclopentalate for cycloplegia.
I'm an Optometrist OP.

Interesting! We have just had an eye examination in Germany and also had drops put in at 10 minute intervals, I thought it was a bit weird too!