Pharmacology Flashcards
How can drugs be administered into the eye?
Drops
Ointment
What can be added to a steroid to make it more hydrophobic?
Alcohol/Acetate
How may side-effects of eye-drops be prevented?
Punctal occlusion
Will prevent drops being absorbed systemically within the nasal cavity.
What is temporal arteritis?
Inflammation of the medium-sized muscular arteries.
Presents with headaches, a non-pulsatile temporal artery, and jaw claudication.
What is a complication of temporal arteritis?
Optic nerve infarction - a medical emergency.
How should temporal arteritis be managed?
High-dose systemic steroids
Will prevent progression to blindness.
What treatment should be avoided in patients with a red eye?
Steroids
Presentation may be due to dendritic ulcer, thus will cause corneal melt.
What medications can be used in the management of allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis?
Antihistamines
Mast cell stabilisers
What is glaucoma?
A group of diseases characterised by progressive optic neuropathy.
Produces a characteristic loss of peripheral visual field initially.
How is glaucoma treated?
By reducing intra-ocular pressure.
How may glaucoma present?
Usually asymptomatic
Those over 40yo are screened for this condition.
What are the 5 medication classes used in glaucoma treatment?
Latanoprost (1st line)
Beta blockers
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
Alpha 2 adrenergic agonists
Parasympathomimetics
Which drug used to treat glaucoma is associated with a bad aftertaste in the mouth?
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
What condition requires treatment with anti-VEGF?
Wet macular degeneration
Given intravitreally.
When does endophthalmitis usually present?
Post-operatively.
Treat with intravitreal antibiotics.
