Tropicamide Flashcards
1
Q
What is tropicamide?
A
- Used to dilate the pupil so the doctor can see into the back of the eye
- It relaxes the pupillary sphincter
- It is a muscarinic receptor antagonist which is found in the iris sphincter muscles
- Blocks the neurotransmitter actylcholine from binding
- Inhibits the contraction of the iris sphincter and ciliary muscles and then relaxes them, this will then allow the pupils to fully dilate
2
Q
What are the side effects?
A
- Fast heartbeat
- Hallucinations
- Unsteadiness
- Blurry vision
- Slurred speech
- Redness of face
3
Q
What is the half-life of tropicamide?
A
- 30 minutes
- Allows patients to not suffer from side effects for as long as they take less time to leave he bloodstream
4
Q
Why does tropicamide cause blurred vision?
A
- As it makes your eyes to dilate it also causes temporary paralysis of the ciliary muscle
5
Q
What does VEGF do?
A
- It makes blood vessels more permeable which causes the leak of blood vessels and this can cause damage to the retina
