AIM:To investigate the effectiveness of three cycloplegia drugs: atropine, cyclopentolate and tropicamide on school-age children, and provid theoretical basis in choosing cycloplegic drugs for school-age children.

METHODS: Totally 420 myopic school-age students(818 eyes)in out-patients department were selected during July to August 2017. Candidates were divided into three medicine groups according to their age: Group A: <8 years old, utilizing 1% atropine; Group B: 8-12 years old, utilizing the cyclopentolate; Group C: >12 years old, utilizing the tropicamide. The difference of refraction degree before and after medicine application were calculated.

RESULTS: The coincidence rate of spherical equivalent refraction with cycloplegia and without cycloplegia was 81.0% in atropine group, 81.3% in cyclopentolate group and 79.4% in tropicamide group respectively. There was statistical difference of refraction results of the Group A between with atropine cycloplegia and without cycloplegia. The mean difference was -0.113±0.226D(t=-4.663, P<0.001). There was no statistical refraction difference of the Group B between with cyclopentolate cycloplegia and without cycloplegia, the mean difference was -0.025±0.192D(t=-1.665, P=0.099). So does the difference of Group C between with tropicamide cycloplegia and without cycloplegia, which was -0.026±0.193D(t=1.760, P=0.080).

CONCLUSION: For children older than 8-years old and without strabismus and amblyopia, cyclopentolate or tropicamide can be used to give cycloplegia refraction for the first time, which is convenient for their daily activities. The cycloplegia refraction results should been re-checked after used atropine, and giving prescription by using the principle of maximum plus to maximum visual acuity(MPMVA).