Tropicamide

Question 1

What is tropicamide?

Answer 1

• Used to dilate the pupil so the doctor can see into the back of the eye
• It relaxes the pupillary sphincter
• It is a muscarinic receptor antagonist which is found in the iris sphincter muscles
• Blocks the neurotransmitter actylcholine from binding
• Inhibits the contraction of the iris sphincter and ciliary muscles and then relaxes them, this will then allow the pupils to fully dilate

Question 2

What are the side effects?

Answer 2

• Fast heartbeat
• Hallucinations
• Unsteadiness
• Blurry vision
• Slurred speech
• Redness of face

Question 3

What is the half-life of tropicamide?

Answer 3

• 30 minutes
• Allows patients to not suffer from side effects for as long as they take less time to leave he bloodstream

Question 4

Why does tropicamide cause blurred vision?

Answer 4

• As it makes your eyes to dilate it also causes temporary paralysis of the ciliary muscle

Question 5

What does VEGF do?

Answer 5

• It makes blood vessels more permeable which causes the leak of blood vessels and this can cause damage to the retina