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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.

Read the first 7 Ophthalmic Pharmacology flashcards as text

  1. Which diagnostic dye is used to evaluate lacrimal drainage patency during the Jones dye tests?

    Answer: Fluorescein sodium

    Fluorescein sodium is instilled in the conjunctival sac for Jones I and II dye tests to assess whether dye passes through the nasolacrimal drainage system into the nasal cavity.

  2. Apraclonidine (Iopidine) is most commonly used in the ophthalmic setting to:

    Answer: Prevent post-laser IOP spikes after anterior segment laser procedures

    Apraclonidine is an alpha-2 agonist most commonly used perioperatively around laser treatments to blunt the acute IOP spike that can follow procedures such as laser iridotomy or trabeculoplasty.

  3. Which antiviral medication is the first-line topical treatment for herpes simplex epithelial keratitis?

    Answer: Acyclovir ointment or trifluridine drops

    Trifluridine 1% ophthalmic solution and acyclovir ointment are first-line topical antivirals used to treat active HSV epithelial (dendritic) keratitis.

  4. Natamycin ophthalmic suspension 5% is the drug of choice for treating which type of corneal infection?

    Answer: Fungal (filamentous) keratitis caused by Fusarium or Aspergillus

    Natamycin is a polyene antifungal that disrupts fungal cell membrane integrity and is the FDA-approved first-line topical treatment for filamentous fungal keratitis.

  5. The mechanism by which latanoprost lowers intraocular pressure is primarily by:

    Answer: Increasing uveoscleral outflow via prostaglandin FP receptor activation

    Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F2α analog that binds FP receptors in the ciliary muscle, increasing uveoscleral (unconventional) outflow to reduce IOP.

  6. A patient using phenylephrine 10% drops experiences an acute hypertensive episode. This is most likely due to:

    Answer: Systemic absorption of the sympathomimetic through conjunctival vessels

    Phenylephrine 10% can be absorbed through the conjunctival vasculature into the systemic circulation, stimulating alpha-1 adrenergic receptors in blood vessels and causing acute hypertension.

  7. Which ophthalmic medication is classified as a rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor and represents a newer mechanism for lowering IOP in open-angle glaucoma?

    Answer: Netarsudil (Rhopressa)

    Netarsudil inhibits rho kinase (ROCK), which increases conventional trabecular outflow and decreases episcleral venous pressure to lower IOP through a novel mechanism.