Ocular Pharmacology Flashcards
6 cards from real AOA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Ocular Pharmacology flashcards as text
Prostaglandin analogs (e.g., latanoprost) lower intraocular pressure by:
Answer: Increasing aqueous outflow through the uveoscleral pathway
Prostaglandin analogs primarily enhance uveoscleral (non-conventional) aqueous outflow by remodeling the ciliary body extracellular matrix, reducing IOP by 25–35%.
Topical beta-blockers such as timolol lower IOP by:
Answer: Decreasing aqueous humor production by the ciliary body
Beta-blockers block beta-2 adrenoceptors on the ciliary epithelium, reducing cyclic AMP and thereby decreasing aqueous humor secretion by 20–35%.
Which topical anesthetic is most commonly used for tonometry in optometric practice?
Answer: Proparacaine 0.5%
Proparacaine 0.5% is the most widely used topical ophthalmic anesthetic due to its rapid onset, short duration, and minimal stinging compared to other agents.
Atropine 1% eye drops cause cycloplegia and mydriasis by:
Answer: Blocking muscarinic receptors in the iris sphincter and ciliary body
Atropine competitively blocks muscarinic (M3) receptors, preventing acetylcholine from stimulating the iris sphincter (causing mydriasis) and ciliary muscle (causing cycloplegia).
Fluorescein dye in optometric practice is used primarily for:
Answer: Applanation tonometry and contact lens fitting evaluation
Fluorescein sodium is a vital dye that fluoresces yellow-green under cobalt blue illumination, used to assess the tear film, fit RGP lenses, and measure IOP by applanation.
The mechanism of action of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., dorzolamide) in glaucoma treatment is:
Answer: Inhibiting carbonic anhydrase II in the ciliary epithelium to reduce aqueous production
CAIs inhibit carbonic anhydrase type II in the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium, reducing bicarbonate and sodium transport that drives aqueous secretion.