Comparison of Mydriasis Obtained by Tropicamide and Phenylephrine in Type 2 Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients

Background: To compare mydriasis obtained with Tropicamide 0.8% and phenylephrine 5% in type 2 diabetic and non diabetic patients. Materials & Methods: Observational study done in Ophthalmology OPD during January to May 2013. 100 eyes from 50 patients (30 type 2 diabetic and 20 non diabetics) were dilated with tropicamide 0.8% w/v and phenylephrine 5% w/v. In both groups pupil diameters were measured after 40 minutes using pupil gauge. Result: Mean age of nondiabetic participants was 50.90 years and diabetic patients were 53.77 years. Mean duration of diabetes was 7.10 years. Mean pupil diameter in non diabetics was 7.74 (Right eye), 7.76 (Left eye) and 7.23 (Right eye) 7.29 (Left eye) in diabetics. There was statistically significant difference between both groups. Pupil diameter was greater than 7 mm in all patients .There is a significant negative correlation observed with duration of diabetes and dilatation of pupils. Conclusion: When a combination of tropicamide 0.8% and phenylephrine 5% is used, diabetic patients can achieve mydriasis as satisfactory as non diabetic patients, allowing adequate fundus examination.