Pharmacology & Ocular Therapeutics Flashcards

Fluorescein sodium dye is used in optometry primarily to:

Answer: Evaluate corneal integrity and assess contact lens fitting

Fluorescein stains damaged corneal epithelium and fluoresces under cobalt blue light, and is also used to evaluate rigid contact lens fluorescein patterns.

Rose bengal stain is particularly useful for detecting:

Answer: Devitalized conjunctival and corneal epithelial cells

Rose bengal selectively stains devitalized and dead epithelial cells, making it valuable for diagnosing dry eye syndrome and other ocular surface diseases.

Combination antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer drops such as olopatadine (Pataday) are indicated for:

Answer: Allergic conjunctivitis

Olopatadine provides dual-action relief for allergic conjunctivitis by blocking histamine receptors and preventing mast cell degranulation.

Topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., dorzolamide) lower IOP by:

Answer: Reducing aqueous humor production

CAIs inhibit carbonic anhydrase in the ciliary body epithelium, reducing aqueous humor secretion and lowering IOP.

Which drug can be used to pharmacologically reverse iatrogenic pupil dilation?

Answer: Pilocarpine

Pilocarpine, a cholinergic miotic, stimulates the iris sphincter muscle to constrict the pupil and reverse mydriasis.

The primary mechanism of action of latanoprost (Xalatan) is:

Answer: Prostaglandin F2α analog increasing uveoscleral outflow

Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F2α analog that lowers IOP primarily by increasing uveoscleral (alternative) outflow.