The drugs used to constrict the pupils are?

Appeared in: AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Explanation

Miotics are a class of drugs that cause pupillary constriction, a process known as miosis.
They act as cholinergic agents, stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system which controls the sphincter muscle of the iris, causing it to contract.
This action increases the outflow of aqueous humor, which is why they are a primary treatment for glaucoma.
Pilocarpine and acetylcholine are common examples of miotic drugs.

Option A: Mydriatics have the opposite effect of miotics; they cause the pupils to dilate (mydriasis).
Option B: Sulphonamides are a class of antimicrobial drugs used to treat bacterial infections.
Option C: Antibiotics are a broad category of drugs used to fight bacterial infections. They do not have a primary effect on pupil size.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pharmacology of ophthalmic drugs affecting pupil size as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Pupil assessment is a fundamental nursing skill, especially in neurological evaluations (PERRLA), as changes can signal increased intracranial pressure or other neurological events.
In acute angle-closure glaucoma, a medical emergency, miotics like pilocarpine are administered to rapidly constrict the pupil, pull the iris away from the drainage angle, and lower intraocular pressure to prevent permanent vision loss.
What if? If a patient with undiagnosed narrow-angle glaucoma receives a mydriatic for a routine eye exam, the pupil dilation can block the aqueous humor outflow, triggering a painful acute glaucoma attack. This is a critical patient safety consideration.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'drugs', 'constrict', and 'pupils'.
The question is a direct factual recall question asking for the pharmacological class of drugs that cause pupillary constriction.
Recall or deduce the medical term for pupil constriction, which is 'miosis'.
Evaluate each option based on this understanding:
Mydriatics cause mydriasis (dilation).
Sulphonamides and Antibiotics are for infections.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 3 pp. 260-262, 258-260

Practise the full AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.