Ocular Pharmacology Flashcards

Which ophthalmic agent is contraindicated in patients with a known sulfa drug allergy?

Answer: Dorzolamide

Dorzolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor with a sulfonamide chemical structure, making it contraindicated in patients with sulfa allergies.

A patient using brimonidine (Alphagan) should be monitored for which systemic side effect, especially in infants and young children?

Answer: CNS depression and apnea

Brimonidine, an alpha-2 agonist, can cross the blood-brain barrier in young children, causing CNS depression, somnolence, and potentially apnea.

Which mydriatic agent also produces cycloplegia (loss of accommodation)?

Answer: Cyclopentolate 1%

Cyclopentolate is an anticholinergic that blocks muscarinic receptors in both the iris sphincter (causing mydriasis) and the ciliary muscle (causing cycloplegia).

What is the duration of action of tropicamide 1% for mydriasis?

Answer: 4-6 hours

Tropicamide 1% produces mydriasis lasting approximately 4-6 hours, making it one of the shorter-acting anticholinergic mydriatics.

Fluorescein sodium strips should be moistened with which solution before use?

Answer: Sterile saline or sterile water

Fluorescein strips should be moistened with sterile saline or sterile water to prevent contamination and ensure patient safety.

Which glaucoma medication works by increasing uveoscleral (alternative) outflow of aqueous humor?

Answer: Latanoprost

Prostaglandin analogs like latanoprost remodel the ciliary muscle extracellular matrix, increasing uveoscleral outflow of aqueous humor.

An antibiotic eye drop prescribed for bacterial conjunctivitis belongs to which drug category when it ends in '-floxacin'?

Answer: Fluoroquinolone

The '-floxacin' suffix indicates a fluoroquinolone antibiotic (e.g., ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin), which work by inhibiting bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV.