| Name | Efficacy/advantages | Duration of large pupil* | Disadvantages |
| Tropicamide 1/2 or 1% | Good in less pigmented eyes | 4 to 6 hours | Works less well in brown eyes |
| Cyclopentolate 1/2 or 1% (do not use 1% concentration in infants <6 months or children with epilepsy) | Good in all eyes | 1 to 2 days | Long duration 2% solution can cause hallucinations |
| Phenylephrine 2.5% | Poor by itself Very helpful combined with tropicamide or cyclopentolate | 3 to 4 hours | Systemic hypertension in higher strengths Used alone, pupil still constricts during examination |
| Cyclomydril (0.2% cyclopentolate and 1% phenylephrine, Alcon Laboratories) | Good in less pigmented eyes Commonly used for ROP examinations Convenient combination drop | 3 to 4 hours | Often needs to be repeated for darker eyes |
ROP: retinopathy of prematurity.
* Repeat dosage will prolong duration by up to 50%.