ABO Pharmacology & Ocular Therapeutics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Fluorescein sodium dye is used in optometry primarily to:
- Measure visual acuity
- Evaluate corneal integrity and assess contact lens fitting (Correct answer)
- Dilate the pupil for fundus exam
- Lower intraocular pressure
Correct 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.
Question 2: Rose bengal stain is particularly useful for detecting:
- Retinal detachment borders
- Devitalized conjunctival and corneal epithelial cells (Correct answer)
- Glaucomatous optic nerve changes
- Macular degeneration
Correct 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.
Question 3: Combination antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer drops such as olopatadine (Pataday) are indicated for:
- Bacterial conjunctivitis
- Allergic conjunctivitis (Correct answer)
- Viral keratitis
- Glaucoma management
Correct answer: Allergic conjunctivitis
Olopatadine provides dual-action relief for allergic conjunctivitis by blocking histamine receptors and preventing mast cell degranulation.
Question 4: Topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., dorzolamide) lower IOP by:
- Increasing uveoscleral outflow
- Reducing aqueous humor production (Correct answer)
- Constricting the trabecular meshwork
- Elevating episcleral venous pressure
Correct answer: Reducing aqueous humor production
CAIs inhibit carbonic anhydrase in the ciliary body epithelium, reducing aqueous humor secretion and lowering IOP.
Question 5: Which drug can be used to pharmacologically reverse iatrogenic pupil dilation?
- Pilocarpine (Correct answer)
- Tropicamide
- Phenylephrine
- Atropine
Correct answer: Pilocarpine
Pilocarpine, a cholinergic miotic, stimulates the iris sphincter muscle to constrict the pupil and reverse mydriasis.
Question 6: The primary mechanism of action of latanoprost (Xalatan) is:
- Beta-receptor blockade at the ciliary body
- Alpha-2 agonism reducing aqueous production
- Prostaglandin F2α analog increasing uveoscleral outflow (Correct answer)
- Carbonic anhydrase inhibition
Correct answer: Prostaglandin F2α analog increasing uveoscleral outflow
Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F2α analog that lowers IOP primarily by increasing uveoscleral (alternative) outflow.
ABO Pharmacology & Ocular Therapeutics 2
Fluorescein sodium dye is used in optometry primarily to: