Cardiopulmonary arrest following administration of Cyclomydril eyedrops for outpatient retinopathy of prematurity screening

Eyedrops used for mydriasis and cycloplegia can be systemically absorbed, causing serious side effects, including oxygen desaturation, apnea, bradycardia, transient hypertension, delayed gastric emptying, and transient paralytic ileus. These effects can be more serious in infants because of their lower body mass and immature cardiovascular and nervous systems. We report a case of a 27-week-old infant who suffered a cardiopulmonary arrest after the administration of only Cyclomydril eyedrops (Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, TX) during an outpatient retinopathy of prematurity examination.