Alkem Laboratories Ltd.
"The eye is the organ of sight (vision) in humans and animals. The eye works by transforming light waves into visual images. Eighty percent of all information received by the human brain comes from the eyes. Eye color is created by the amount and type of pigment in the iris. Multiple genes inherited from each parent determine a person’s eye color. The eye is a slightly asymmetrical globe, about an inch in diameter. The front part of the eye (the part you see in the mirror) includes:
• The iris (the pigmented part)
• The cornea (a clear dome over the iris)
• The pupil (the black circular opening in the iris that lets light in)
• The sclera (the white part)
• The conjunctiva (an invisible, clear layer of tissue covering the front of the eye, except the cornea)"
Cycloplegia is paralysis of the ciliary muscle of the eye, resulting in a loss of accommodation. Cycloplegia with accompanying mydriasis (loss of adaptation) can be induced pharmacologically by muscarinic antagonists. Cycloplegic drugs are generally muscarinic receptor blockers. These include atropine, cyclopentolate, homatropine, scopolamine and tropicamide. They are indicated for use in cycloplegic refraction (to paralyze the ciliary muscle in order to determine the true refractive error of the lens) and the treatment of uveitis. Many cycloplegics are also mydriatic (pupil dilating) agents and are used as such during ophthalmoscopic examinations to better visualize the retina. A mydriatic is an agent that induces dilation of the pupil. Drugs such as tropicamide are used in medicine to permit examination of the retina and other deep structures of the eye, and also to reduce painful ciliary muscle spasm (see cycloplegia). Phenylephrine (e.g. Cyclomydril) is used if strong mydriasis is needed for a surgical intervention. One effect of administration of a mydriatic is intolerance to bright light (Photophobia).
Glaxo Smithkline Pharmaceuticals Ltd.