Pharmacology Basics Flashcards

Which ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) is classified as cohesive and is removed easily as a single mass?

Answer: Healon (sodium hyaluronate)

High-molecular-weight sodium hyaluronate products like Healon are cohesive and aspirate out as one unit.

BSS Plus differs from standard BSS mainly because it contains:

Answer: Glutathione, bicarbonate, and glucose

These added components help protect corneal endothelial cells during longer intraocular procedures.

Preservative-free epinephrine may be added to the irrigating solution during phacoemulsification to:

Answer: Maintain pupil dilation

Intracameral epinephrine helps keep the pupil dilated throughout surgery.

Mitomycin C is applied during trabeculectomy or pterygium excision to:

Answer: Inhibit fibroblast proliferation and scarring

Mitomycin C is an antimetabolite that limits scar formation, and it must be handled as a cytotoxic agent.

Which dye is used to stain the anterior capsule during capsulorhexis in a mature white cataract?

Answer: Trypan blue

Trypan blue stains the anterior capsule, improving visibility against a poor red reflex.

Intracameral cefuroxime or moxifloxacin at the end of cataract surgery is used primarily for:

Answer: Endophthalmitis prophylaxis

Intracameral antibiotics reduce the risk of postoperative bacterial endophthalmitis.

During vitrectomy, triamcinolone acetonide may be injected to:

Answer: Make the transparent vitreous visible

Triamcinolone particles adhere to vitreous gel, making it visible for more complete removal.