Tropicamide

1 medicine

Tropicamide is an eye drop that dilates the pupil for eye examinations. It causes several hours of blurred vision and light sensitivity, so you should not drive until your sight returns to normal.

Mydriacyl

Tropicamide

1%

Mydriacyl is a eye care medication containing Tropicamide, available as 1% bottles.

from $16.15 / bottle View

Key facts

  • Tropicamide is an anticholinergic eye drop that widens the pupil and temporarily relaxes the eye's focusing muscle, giving an eye specialist a clear view of the retina and optic nerve during an examination.
  • One or two drops are used shortly before the exam. The pupil starts to widen within 15 to 30 minutes, and the effect can last several hours.
  • Vision stays blurred, especially for close-up tasks, and your eyes become sensitive to light while the drops are working. Do not drive or operate machinery until your vision has returned to normal, and wear sunglasses if you go outside.
  • Seek urgent care for severe eye pain, nausea, or a red, hard-feeling eye after the drops. These are rare signs of triggering acute angle-closure glaucoma in someone with narrow drainage angles.

What tropicamide treats

Tropicamide is used to dilate the pupil and relax focusing for a detailed retinal or optic-nerve examination, to help diagnose eye conditions that need a dilated view, and for cycloplegic refraction, measuring a child's true prescription by temporarily switching off the eye's ability to auto-focus.

How tropicamide works

Tropicamide blocks acetylcholine at receptors in two eye muscles: the sphincter that normally keeps the pupil constricted, and the ciliary muscle that lets the eye focus on near objects. With both blocked, the pupil widens and the eye can't change focus for close-up vision, giving a clear, steady view inside the eye.

Before you take it

  • Tell the examiner if you or a close family member has narrow-angle or angle-closure glaucoma, since dilation can rarely trigger an acute attack in susceptible eyes.
  • Mention any eye infection, recent eye injury, or allergy to anticholinergic eye medicines.
  • Tell the examiner about other eye drops you use or systemic anticholinergic medicines you take, such as some antihistamines or sleep aids, since effects can add up.

Side effects

Common effects include brief stinging on application, blurred vision, light sensitivity, mild eye redness, and a short-lived headache.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Sudden, severe eye pain that does not ease.
  • Rapid loss of vision or a pupil that stays widened for an unusually long time.
  • Swelling, rash, or itching around the eye suggesting an allergic reaction.

Safety essentials

  • Do not drive or use machinery until your vision has fully returned to normal, which can take several hours.
  • Wear sunglasses to protect against light sensitivity while your pupils are dilated.
  • Tell the examiner before the drops are given if you or your family have a history of narrow-angle or angle-closure glaucoma, so a lower-risk approach can be used if needed.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.