THE EFFECTS OF PHENYLEPHRINE 2.5-PERCENT VERSUS PHENYLEPHRINE 10-PERCENT ON PUPILLARY DILATION IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES

Purpose: A prospective, double-blind study was conducted to compare th e clinical efficacy of a combination of 1% tropicamide and 2.5% phenyl ephrine and a combination of 1% tropicamide and 10% phenylephrine for pupillary dilation in patients with diabetes. Methods: Either 2.5% phe nylephrine in one eye and 10% phenylephrine in the other eye, 2.5% phe nylephrine in both eyes, or 10% phenylephrine in both eyes was adminis tered to 127 consecutive patients with diabetes. All patients received 1% tropicamide in both eyes. Results: There was no statistically sign ificant difference in the amount of pupillary dilation between the thr ee groups. Conclusion: As 2.5% phenylephrine may produce a lower incid ence of side effects than the 10% concentration, we advise the use of the lower concentration, particularly among patients with diabetes, wh o already exhibit a higher prevalence of vascular disease and autonomi c dysfunction.