EARS, EYES, DERM
i. Why at medications for the eyes usually topical?
- Safest and easiest method to apply ocular medication, as it can be applied non-invasively by the pts themselves.
- The drug absorbance and permeability are low
ii. What are the major concerns when a patient is taking Isotretinoin?
- Women must agree to use 2 forms of birth control
- Pregnancy Category X
- Sun sensitivity
- Avoid all skin resurfacing procedures for 6 months
ii. What is the main goal of all glaucoma medications?
Lowering IOP (intraocular pressure).
i. What are two medications used to treat acne?
(If you get this correct, 300 more points ill be added)!
- Isotretinoin (Accutane)
- Clindamycin
i. What class of glaucoma drugs are most frequently prescribed and why?
- Prostaglandin agonists
x. Why do you put pressure on the inner canthus after instilling eye drops?
To prevent the medication from entering the lacrimal duct and causing possible systemic reaction to the medication.
xii. What activities should be avoided when you want to decrease intra-ocular pressure?
- straining to defecate
- lifting heavy objects
- bending over
- excessive coughing or vomiting
xiii. What are the important steps for instilling eye medication and in what order should you take those steps?
- Wash hands
- Remove contacts
- Look up to the ceiling
- Pull the lower lid down
- Place drop in the conjunctival sac
- Avoid contact of the dropper with eye, finger
- Release eyelid and close eyes
- Apply pressure to inner canthus for 3 minutes
- Wait 10 minutes before instilling a 2nd medication
i. How do you instill ear drops in children under 3? How do you instill ear drops in people over 3 years of age?
For children younger than 3:
- gently pull the outer ear down and toward the back of the head.
For children older than 3 years:
- gently pull the outer ear up and toward the back of the head.
- Look for ear wax and remove it needed
- Shake the medication
- Drop medication in center of canal
- Lie on side for 20 minutes
- Take as directed
iv. What population of patients cannot take Latanoprost and why?
- Pregnant woman because low birth weight was found to be more common in latanoprost-exposed babies.
v. What are the adverse effects of Timolol that makes it less frequently prescribed?
- burning, stinging, irritation
- blurred vision
- dry eyes
vi. What population of patients should not take Timolol and why?
-Pts with asthma and COPD
ix. What safety measures are important for eye medications?
- Always wash your hands before handling your eye drops or touching your eyes.
- Avoid touching eye with applicator
- Most eye drop solutions must be shaken to mix well
- After administration of drops apply pressure to the inner cantus for at least 1 minute or as directed
- Apply ointments and gels to the conjunctival sac not directly on the eye
- Ointments can cause blurry vision so be safe until the drug is absorbed
- educated that some eye medications can darken the eye color permanently.
xi. What do you have to consider when a patient has more than 1 eye medication ordered?
- Educate them about the order in which they should be given.
- Wait 10 minutes in between drops when more than one medication is used.
ii. What is tonometry and why is it important to glaucoma patients?
Tonometry: measurement of Intraocular Pressure
- it is important for glaucoma patients because optometrists can measure the progression of glaucoma by using the CenterPoint of affected nerve, and determining the radius and diameter affected.
iii. What are the classes of drugs that are used to treat glaucoma?
- #1 Prostaglandin agonists
- #2 Beta-adrenergic blocker
- #3 Alpha Adrenergic
- Osmotic diuretics
- Cholinergic (miotics)
- Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
iii. What are the significant adverse effects of Latanoprost?
- Eyelid edema
- Blurred vision
- Dry eyes
vii. What classes of drugs are used to treat ocular inflammation?
- Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
viii. What drugs are used during an eye exam?
-Proparacaine
- Tetracaine