Ophthalmic and Otic Disorders Pharmacology

Flashcards covering medications and assessment tools for eye (ophthalmic) and ear (otic) disorders, including anti-infectives, anti-allergics, anti-inflammatories, lubricants, and earwax removal agents.

Ophthalmic anti-infectives

Drugs that can be bacteriostatic or bactericidal, penetrating ocular fluid and tissues with minimal systemic absorption to treat eye infections.

Bacteriostatic

A mechanism of anti-infectives that inhibits the growth or reproduction of bacteria.

Bactericidal

A mechanism of anti-infectives that directly kills bacteria.

Super infection

A potential adverse reaction (ADR) that can occur with the prolonged use of ophthalmic anti-infectives.

Bacitracin (ophthalmic)

An anti-infective that can specifically cause blurred vision as an adverse drug reaction.

Aminoglycosides (ophthalmic)

A class of anti-infectives that can lead to localized ocular toxicity.

Fluoroquinolones (ophthalmic)

A class of anti-infectives that can cause a white crystalline precipitate to form in the superficial portion of the cornea.

Erythromycin eye ointment

A medication applied to newborns' eyes shortly after birth to prevent Chlamydial conjunctivitis.

Bacterial conjunctivitis

An infection presenting with erythema, purulent discharge, itching, burning, and mad eyelashes, most common in children between $3$ months and $8$ years old.

Blepharitis

Acute or chronic inflammation of eyelash follicles and meibomian glands of the eyelids, treated with eyelid scrubs and erythromycin ointment.

Hordeolum

Commonly known as a stye, this condition can be treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointments.

Mast cell stabilizers

Ocular drugs that limit hypersensitivity reactions by inhibiting the degranulation of sensitized mast cells, typically used for vernal conjunctivitis.

Antihistamines (ocular)

Drugs that block $H1$ receptors to treat allergic conjunctivitis.

Benzalkonium chloride

A preservative in some ocular anti-allergic products that can affect soft contact lenses.

Ophthalmic NSAIDs

A type of anti-inflammatory ocular medication available for general use.

Ocular corticosteroids

Strong anti-inflammatory agents that can cause glaucoma (elevated intraocular pressure), cataract formation, and perforation of the globe; requires referral to an ophthalmologist.

Naphazoline

An anti-inflammatory ocular agent and/or vasoconstrictor that may precipitate narrow angle glaucoma and interacts with tricyclic antidepressants.

Ocular lubricants (Artificial tears)

Tear-like lubricants used to treat dry eye syndrome; should be used at a maximum of $4$ times a day to avoid exacerbating symptoms.

Ophthalmic vasoconstrictors

OTC medications used for temporary relief of eye redness; contraindicated in narrow angle glaucoma and not recommended for children.

Fluorescein sodium

A yellow water soluble, dibasic acidic xanthine dye used topically to detect corneal abrasions.

Woods lamp

A device used to examine the eye under UV light after applying fluorescein stain; corneal abrasions will appear as a bright neon yellow green color.

Otitis externa

An external ear infection often treated with combination products containing both a corticosteroid and an antibiotic.

Cortisporin / Cipro Dex / Cipro HC

Common combination otic anti-infective products used to treat otitis externa.

Perforated tympanic membrane

A contraindication for the use of any ear medication containing a steroid component.

Topical otic analgesics

Medications such as benzocaine used to provide pain relief for patients with otitis media, instilled up to once every $1-2$ hours as needed.

Carbamide peroxide

A medication (e.g., Debrox) used to soften impacted cerumen (hardened earwax) prior to irrigation.

Impacted cerumen

Also known as impacted earwax, which may require softening with drops for up to $4$ days if it is too hardened to irrigate.