F. Fraunfelder, A. F. Scafidi
Apr 1, 1978
Citations
3
Influential Citations
128
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
American Journal of Ophthalmology
Abstract
Ten percent phenylephrine hydrochloride is a commonly used mydriatic that has rarely been reported as producing possible adverse systemic reactions in adults when topically applied. These adverse reactions include severe hypertension, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and ventricular arrhythmia. 1-5 After a single topical ocular application, enough 10% phenylephrine may be absorbed systemically to increase blood pressure up to 10 mm Hg in 2 to 6% of subjects tested. 1,6 One drop of 10% phenylephrine placed into the conjunctival sac of both eyes at ten-minute intervals for three applications showed an increase in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures of 10 to 40 mm Hg in both normal and hypertensive subjects. 7 In one series, subjects receiving two drops of 10% phenylephrine hydrochloride in one eye every 15 minutes for 90 minutes had no blood pressure increase 90 minutes after the last drop. 8 We reviewed 33 case reports of significant adverse reactions possibly associated with ocular use of 10% phenylephrine as reported to the National Registry of Drug-Induced Ocular Side Effects, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.