cycloplegia
Focusing Muscle Paralysis
Plain-language definition
Temporary paralysis of the ciliary (focusing) muscle using drops. A cycloplegic refraction reveals the true prescription by eliminating the eye's compensation.
Where this term comes up
“Atropine is an anticholinergic (parasympatholytic) eye drop that dilates the pupil (mydriasis) and temporarily paralyzes the eye's focusing muscle (cycloplegia).”
Medication · Atropine Eye Drops
“Treatment often uses topical corticosteroids with cycloplegic drops, but infectious causes require antimicrobial coverage; lab workup is targeted, especially for recurrent, bilateral, granulomatous, or atypical disease”
Condition · Anterior Uveitis (Iritis)
“Cycloplegic drops to relieve ciliary spasm and prevent posterior synechiae”
Finding · Keratic Precipitates (KPs)
- Category
- Test or diagnostic term
- Also written as
- cycloplegic
Diagnostic terms describe tests, measurements, imaging, or exam techniques used to understand eye and neuro-ophthalmic problems.
Related glossary terms
A note on medical context
A glossary definition can explain a word, but it cannot tell you whether a symptom or test result is serious. If this term came from an article, use the full article and your clinician's guidance for context.