Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: Drugs applied topically to the eye may be absorbed systemically to a substantial degree, with the potential to cause serious systemic side-effects. Children may be particularly vulnerable to systemic effects of topically applied agents as topical doses are often not weight-adjusted.

Case presentation: This article describes a case of serious systemic side-effect by the use of topical phenylephrine, tetracaine, tropicamide and atropine in a 17-year old boy candidate for deep viterectomy in Farabi Hospital in 1389. Following application of the aforesaid eye drops, the patient developed hypertension and subsequent loss of conciseness.

Conclusion: Several types of eye drops and their repeated use can lead to their systemic absorption and medical complications due to overdose. Strategies to minimize systemic absorption should be applied, including use of low concentrations of ophthalmic drugs, administration of one type of the drug, use of microdrops and punctal occlusion to minimize absorption via the nasolacrimal duct. While administering ophthalmic drops, one should take these precautions to minimize the systemic effects of the drugs to prevent subsequent complications.