To evaluate the efficacy of 3 cycloplegic regimens in adults with myopia.

Refraction, accommodation amplitude, residual accommodation and biometric findings were assessed before and after instillation of regimen I (tropicamide 0.5% and phenylephrine 0.5%), regimen II (cyclopentolate 1.0%), and regimen III (combination of regimen I and II).

In myopic adults aged 22 to 26 years, cycloplegic refraction revealed less myopia than manifested refraction. Although there was no difference in residual accommodation among the 3 regimens, regimen II and III were more effective in reducing myopia, accommodation, and axial length. The difference in cycloplegic refraction between regimen I and II was more prominent in patients who had larger amplitude of accommodation and residual accommodation with regimen I.

Cycloplegic refraction should be used even in adult myopes. For patients with stronger accommodation and larger residual accommodation with tropicamide, cycloplegic refraction with cyclopentolate may be used to ensure relaxation.