Refraction under GA in children using cycloplegic refraction as a reference
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe

The authors aimed to compare the measurements of cycloplegic refraction and refraction (R1-1) under general anaesthesia (GA) with automated refraction (ARF) in paediatric patients and to determine the impact of GA on accommodation. The study included 222 eyes of 222 patients (114 males, 108 females) with mean age of 45.04 ±11.24 months. Under GA, mean spherical equivalent (R1-1) and mean cycloplegic spherical refraction and cyls were +1.08 ±3.50D and +2.58 ±3.28D, and -1.12 ±0.78DC and -1.24 ±0.82DC. A positive correlation was found between the two values. Refraction under GA gave a more myopic measurement. Differences between measures were within ±1D in 92 eyes and ±2D in 180 eyes. There was no correlation found for cyls. The authors conclude that partial cycloplegia occurs under GAS and thus, GA is not optimal for cycloplegia and cycloplegia drops should be used when precise measurement of refraction is needed under GA.

Refraction under general anaesthesia in children using cycloplegic refraction only as a reference.
Ocak OB, Inal A, Augun BT, et al.
STRABISMUS
2020;29(2):73-8.