Eye Medication
Eye disorders are treated by using one of a variety of medications (Table 22-1).Topical Anesthetics
Topical anesthetics are used to anesthetize the eye for comprehensive eye exam-
inations and for removal of foreign bodies from the eye. Onset occurs in about
1 minute and lasts for 15 minutes. During this time, the blink reflex is tem-
porarily lost and the corneal epithelium is temporarily dried. The patient is
required to wear a protective eye patch until the effects of the drug wear off.Anti-infectives and Antimicrobials
Anti-infectives and antimicrobials are administered for eye infections such as
conjunctivitis. These drugs can cause local skin and eye irritation. You learned
about anti-infective and antimicrobial medication in Chapter 12 and Chapter 13.Lubricants
Lubricants are used to alleviate the discomfort that is associated with dry eyes
and to moisten contact lenses and artificial eyes. Lubricants are also used to
maintain the integrity of the epithelial surface and to moisten the eye during
anesthesia and unconsciousness.Miotics
Miotics lower intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma allowing increased
bloodflow to the retina. This results in less retinal damage and prevents the loss
of vision. There are two types of miotics: direct-acting cholinergics andcholin-
esterase inhibitors. Direct-acting cholinergics pupillary constrict and cholinester-
ase inhibitors pupillary constrict. Patients who take miotics might experience
headache, eye pain, decreased vision, brow pain, and less frequently hyperemia
of the conjunctivia (red eye). Miotics can be systemically absorbed resulting in
the patient experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, frequent urination, precipi-
tation of asthma attacks, increased salivation, diaphoresis, muscle weakness, and
respiratory difficulty.Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are used as a long-term treatment for open-angle
glaucoma by decreasing intraocular pressure by interfering with the production
of aqueous humor. Patients who take carbonic anhydrase inhibitors can experi-
ence lethargy, anorexia, drowsiness, paresthesia, depression, polyuria, nausea,
vomiting, hypokalemia, and renal calculi. It is because of these adverse side(^402) CHAPTER 22 Disorders of the Eye and Ear