TITLE:
The Causes of Distress in Paediatric Outpatients Receiving Dilating Drops
AUTHORS:
Nashila Hirji, Sophie Jones, Graham Thompson
KEYWORDS:
Paediatric; Cyclopentolate; Proxymetacaine Hydrochloride; Dilating Drops
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ophthalmology,
Vol.2 No.2,
May
28,
2012
ABSTRACT: Background/aims: Paediatric outpatients are often dilated with cyclopentolate drops. These cause discomfort and distress, which may impede subsequent examination. We aimed to determine the distress caused by cyclopentolate drops, and other factors in the clinic environment. Methods: Over an 8 week period, questionnaires were issued to guardians of all paediatric outpatients aged under 10 years receiving cyclopentolate. The childrens’distress was graded on a scale of 1 - 10 (1 = no distress, 10 = severe distress). Waiting time and ease of examination were recorded. Data was analysed using Stata statistics, and significant differences were reported at the P