Eye Drug Basics
These eye medications are used to treat bacterial, viral, or fungal eye infections.
Opthalmic anti-infectives
This is the main goal of glaucoma drug therapy.
Lowering intraocular pressure
These eye medications decrease inflammation but can increase risk for infection and raise intraocular pressure.
Opthalmic corticosteroids
These medications soften and loosen earwax.
Cerumenolytics
This is the correct direction to pull the ear for adult ear drop administration.
Up and back
This route is commonly used for medications that treat eye disorders.
Opthalmic route
These glaucoma medications increase aqueous humor outflow and may cause eyelash growth and iris color changes.
Prostaglandin analogs
This type of eye medication reduces prostaglandin activity to decrease pain and inflammation.
Opthalmic NSAIDs
This is an example of a cerumenolytic used to help remove earwax.
Carbamide peroxide
This is the correct direction to pull the ear for children under 3 years old.
Down and back
This is a common side effect of many eye drops and eye ointments.
Temporary blurred vision
This beta-blocker eye drop can cause systemic effects such as bradycardia and bronchospasm.
Timolol
These medications dilate the pupil for eye exams or procedures.
Mydriatics
These medications are used to treat bacterial infections of the ear canal.
Otic anti-infectives
Patients should do this before and after administering eye or ear medications.
Wash their hands
This should never touch the eye, eyelid, or fingers because it can contaminate the medication.
This technique helps reduce systemic absorption of ophthalmic medications.
Punctal occlusion
This symptom occurs after pupil dilation and makes bright light uncomfortable.
Photophobia
Some ear drops should be avoided if this structure is ruptured.
The tympanic membrane or eardrum
This type of medication should usually be administered after eye drops because it can blur vision and block absorption.
Eye ointment
This patient teaching point helps prevent spread of eye infection.
This glaucoma medication causes pupil constriction and may make night vision more difficult.
Pilocarpine
Mydriatics should be used cautiously in patients with this type of eye disorder.
Narrow-angle glaucoma
This class of otic drugs may pose ototoxicity risk if used with a ruptured tympanic membrane.
Aminoglycoside-containing ear drops like neomycin
A patient with asthma is prescribed timolol eye drops for glaucoma. The nurse knows this medication can be absorbed systemically and may worsen this respiratory problem.
Bronchospasm