Pharmacology Flashcards
How are drugs administered to the eye
Topically As drops or ointment Subconjunctival Subtenons (under fibrous layer below conjunctiva) Intravitreal Intracameral
What are the pros and cons to the two types of eye treatment
Ointments
- last longer so give better relief
- often blur the vision
Drops
- thinner and easier to administer
- Not as many visual effects - need to be given more frequently
Which part of the eye can lipid soluble drugs penetrate
The epithelium
It is lipophilic/hydrophobic
Limits the absorption of hydrophilic drugs
Which part of the eye can water soluble drugs penetrate
The stroma
It is hydrophilic/lipophobic
Limits the absorption of hydrophobic drugs
Name a drug that has both lipophilic and hydrophilic properties
Chloramphenicol
Can penetrate the cornea easily
What can make topical steroids more hydrophobic
Alcohol or acetate
What can make topical steroids more hydrophilic
Phosphate
Describe the use of prednisolone acetate
Topical steroid
Hydrophobic - due to acetate
Good penetration of an uninflamed cornea
Used post-operatively
Describe the use of prednisolone phosphate
Hydrophilic - due to phosphate
Poor penetration of uninflamed cornea
Used for cornea disease, surface inflammation or when want low dose steroids
What is Bezalkonium
Surfactant and antibacterial agent
Common in household cleaners
Used as a preservative is eye drops
It aids penetration of drugs by disrupting lipid layer of tear film
How can you prevent the systemic absorption of topical eye drugs
Punctal occlusion
After administration, press on the tear ducts for around 5 mins
This stops the drug flowing down the lacrimal system and entering the throat (this would be the site of systemic absorption)
What is bimatoprost
Drug used to lower IOP in glaucoma
contains benzalkonium
What are the subconjunctival and subtenons routes of administration used for
Putting drugs in the back of the eye
In subtenons you place a small catheter around the eye under the tenons layer
Used for anaesthetics and steroids
What is a major risk of injecting into the back of the eye
If the retina is punctured by the needle it can lead to a retinal detachment
What are steroids used for in eye disease
Topically given in post-op cataracts
Uveitis
Prevention of corneal graft rejection
May be given in allergic eye disease (if other drugs haven’t worked)
What is one of the first signs of corneal graft rejection
New vascularisation of the cornea
Vision will go hazy
What are keratic precipitants in the eye
White dots in the eye which are deposits of white cells
What are the local side effects of steroids in the eye
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Exacerbation of viral infection - such as herpes simplex
Impaired wound healing
What are the systemic effects of steroids
Gastric ulceration Immunosuppression Osteoporosis Weight gain AND many more
What anti-inflammatory agents can be used in eye disease
Steroids
Antihistamines and mast cell stabilisers (sodium chromoglycate) for allergic disease
NSAIDs are good for pain relief