Significant Increase in Astigmatism after Cycloplegia in Two Children

Two cases with high corneal astigmatism and mixed astigmatism were reported. Both cases showed significantly increased astigmatism after cycloplegia. Combined with the patients' refractive error, corneal topography and wavefront aberration changes, the possible causes were analyzed. Aberration changes caused by pupil dilation, corneal astigmatism differences in different diameter ranges, and changes in lens astigmatism before and after cycloplegia may lead to increased astigmatism after cycloplegia. It was found that cycloplegic refraction may not accurately reflect the refractive status in daily life for children with high corneal astigmatism, especially mixed astigmatism. Because children need refractive correction in the state of natural pupil, it is recommended that the cycloplegic refraction result could not be directly used as prescription for such children. The final prescription should be based on the topography and the refraction result under natural pupil.