Abuse of Cyclopentolate Hydrochloride (Cyclogyl) Drops

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Abstract
We recently encountered in two patients a rare systemic complication of the topical administration of cyclopentolate hydrochloride (Cyclogyl) drops, a mydriatic and cycloplegic drug used commonly in pediatric and ophthalmic practice.1 The first patient, an 18-year-old woman, presented in the emergency room with intense bilateral photophobia, tearing, and redness. Visual acuity was 20/30 in both eyes. Both eyes showed marked conjunctival injection and diffuse corneal epithelial punctate keratitis, and the pupils were widely dilated and unresponsive to light. The presumed diagnosis of drug-induced, toxic-type keratitis was made, and under questioning the patient acknowledged applying 200 to 400 drops of cyclopentolate in both eyes daily.