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Ophthalmic Pharmacology Flashcards

7 cards from real COT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. Which class of drugs used in glaucoma treatment works by reducing aqueous humor production through inhibition of carbonic anhydrase?

    Answer: Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

    Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as dorzolamide and brinzolamide reduce aqueous humor production by inhibiting the enzyme carbonic anhydrase in the ciliary body.

  2. A patient taking pilocarpine for glaucoma reports difficulty driving at night. Which side effect best explains this complaint?

    Answer: Miosis reducing pupil size in low light

    Pilocarpine is a miotic agent that constricts the pupil, reducing the amount of light entering the eye and causing difficulty in dim lighting conditions.

  3. Which prostaglandin analog used to lower IOP is also FDA-approved for treating hypotrichosis of the eyelashes?

    Answer: Bimatoprost

    Bimatoprost (Lumigan) is used topically to lower IOP in glaucoma and is also marketed as Latisse for enhancing eyelash growth.

  4. Topical fluorescein sodium is most commonly used in the clinical setting to:

    Answer: Stain corneal epithelial defects

    Fluorescein sodium is a yellow-green dye that stains areas of devitalized or absent corneal epithelium, making defects visible under cobalt blue light.

  5. Which topical anesthetic is most commonly used in the ophthalmic office for procedures such as tonometry and foreign body removal?

    Answer: Proparacaine

    Proparacaine (0.5%) is the most widely used topical ophthalmic anesthetic due to its rapid onset, minimal stinging, and short duration of action.

  6. A patient using brimonidine eye drops should be monitored for which systemic side effect, especially in pediatric patients?

    Answer: CNS depression and bradycardia

    Brimonidine, an alpha-2 agonist, can cause significant CNS depression (somnolence, apnea, bradycardia) in infants and young children and is contraindicated in children under 2.

  7. Rose bengal dye is used in the ophthalmic clinic primarily to stain:

    Answer: Dead or devitalized epithelial cells and mucus

    Rose bengal stains dead, devitalized, or poorly protected epithelial cells and mucus strands, making it useful for diagnosing dry eye and herpetic keratitis.