Eye pharamcology

Question 1

What receptor do sympathomimetics act on in the eye?

Answer 1

a1 receptors.

Question 2

What do sympathomimetics cause?

Answer 2

Mydriasis.

Question 3

What are sympathomimetics used for?

Answer 3

To view structure behind the pupil.

Question 4

Give an example of a sympathomimetic?

Answer 4

Phenylephrine.

Question 5

What factors decrease the effectiveness of phenylephrine?

Answer 5

Diabetes.
Dark iris.
Elderly.

Question 6

What are the side effects of phenylephrine?

Answer 6

Photophobia & blurred vision.
Stinging on instillation.
Acute glaucoma.
Hypertension & arrhythmias.

Question 7

What are the symptoms of acute glaucoma?

Answer 7

Red, painful eye.
Blurred vision.
N & V.
Headache.

Question 8

What is used for the treatment of acute glaucoma.

Answer 8

Pilocarpine (muscarinic agonist).

Question 9

What are the side effects of pilocarpine?

Answer 9

Brow ache.
Myopia.
Risk of retinal detachment.

Question 10

What is the action of anti-muscarinics in the eye?

Answer 10

Cause mydriasis.
Prevent accommodation (cycloplegia).

Question 11

Give an example of three anti-muscarinics?

Answer 11

Atropine.
Cyclopentolate.
Tropicamide.

Question 12

What are the side effects of anti-muscarinics?

Answer 12

Photophobia & blurred vision.
Raised IOP.
Dry mouth, flushing & confusion.

Question 13

What is used for the treatment of uveitis?

Answer 13

Cyclopentolate.

Question 14

What two classes of drugs are used to block aqueous humor production? Give an example of each.

Answer 14

Beta blockers:
> Timolol.
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors:
> Acetazolamide.
> Dorzolamide.

Question 15

What are the functions of the tear film?

Answer 15

Flush away debris.
Anti-bacterial.
Optimal visual function.
Lubricate eye movement.

Question 16

What is the most common cause of decreased tear film production?

Answer 16

Rheumatoid arthritis.

Question 17

Give examples of artificial tears & lubricants?

Answer 17

Hypromellose:
> first line treatment.
Carbomers (i.e. viscotears):
>Thixotrophic agent.
Polyvinyl alcohol (i.e. liquifilm):
>Surfactant to replace mucin layer.
> lowest level of preservatives.
Ointments (i.e. lacrilube).
> Long lasting as highly viscous.
> causes blurred vision.

Question 18

What drug is used to show damage to the cornea or conjuctiva?

Answer 18

Fluorescein.

Question 19

What drugs are used to anaesthetise the eye?

Answer 19

Lidocaine.

Proxymetacaine.

Question 20

What drug is used for superficial eye infections (i.e. conjuctivitis)?

Answer 20

Chloramphenicol.