Ask the patient to wear a medical alert bracelet if they are taking glaucoma
medications or if they are allergic to any medication.
Ear Disorders
The ear consists of three parts: the external, middle, and inner ear. The external
ear consists of the pinna and the external auditory canal that transmits sound to
the middle ear. The middle ear has an air-filled cavity that contains auditory ossi-
cles, which are the malleus, incus, and stapes. The auditory ossicles forward the
sound to the inner ear where the eardrum is located. Pressure on both sides of
the eardrum is equalized by the eustachian tube that connects to the nasophar-
ynx. The eardrum could rupture if pressure becomes unequal. The inner ear also
contains a series of canals called the labyrinths that are made up of the vestibule,
cochlea, and semicircular canals. The vestibule maintains equilibrium and bal-
ance and the cochlea is the principal hearing organ.
CHAPTER 22 Disorders of the Eye and Ear^405
Antibacterials Antifungal Antiviral Antiinflammatories
Osmotics Mydriatics and
Cycloplegics
Glycerin
Isosorbide (Ismotic)
Mannitol (Osmitrol)
Urea (Ureaphil)Table 22-1. Ophthalmic medications. (continued)
Atropine sulfate
Cyclopentolate HCl
Dipivefrin HCl
Epinephrine HCl
Epinephrine borate
Homatropine hydrobromide
(Isopto Homatropine)
Scopolamine hydrobromide
Tropicamide (Mydriacyl
Ophthalmic)