miotics / mydriatics

ageless · Jul 20, 2002

Not sure of your question, but in general:

miotics constrict the pupil (green top drops)

mydriatics dilate the pupil (red top drops)

MelissaCT · Jul 21, 2002

Thank you...I know what they are, but I heard that if the patient has both prescribed, that one has to always be given before the other.

boggle, ASN, RN · Jul 21, 2002

You have me puzzled. I don't know that much about eye treatments. Are both prescribed to be given at the same time? Why would that be?

I know dilating drops are given before examinations, followed by constricting drops ( to reverse the dilitation, and allow the patient to focus normally sooner), after the examination.

Would love to hear more about the use of both types of drops together.

MelissaCT · Jul 21, 2002

I don't know why they would be given together, it was an NCLEX topic.

?

ageless · Jul 21, 2002

Originally posted by MelissaCT
Thank you...I know what they are,.....

I am going to dismiss your comment to me, because I realize that words can seem more harsh in the written form.

Your question was not clear. I thought that clarifying the two optic drops would lead you to be able to better formulate your question. Perhaps we should try again.

Can you give a case study or scenario?

MelissaCT · Jul 21, 2002

Yes they did sound harsh written. I am sorry; I did not intend them to be.

I unfortunately don't have a scenario. In my NCLEX review class, the teacher said that one is always given before the other. I wrote it down. Now I can't find where I wrote it so I was wondering.

disher · Jul 21, 2002

I am also wondering under what circumstances besides eye examination a patient would have mydriatics and miotics ordered. I am just guessing but wouldn't the NCLEX be more likely to have questions related to glaucoma medications? Nurses encounter patients with glaucoma more often then assist with eye tests. If there is a question regarding giving more than one type of eye drop to the patient with glaucoma it is important to space them at least 15 minutes apart.

ageless · Jul 21, 2002

http://www.geocities.com/ocular_times/med.html

This is a good site for glaucoma eye drop teaching. Best wishes for your upcoming test!

Fgr8Out · Jul 22, 2002

Originally posted by ageless
http://www.geocities.com/ocular_times/med.html

This is a good site for glaucoma eye drop teaching. Best wishes for your upcoming test!

Thank you, Ageless!!!!

I've been looking for info ever since I saw this post yesterday... and I STILL can't find references as to which ORDER to put the drops in...which is what Melissa was originally asking, I think. I even called our Pharmacist and was unable to get an answer. However, I do have a patient with a "globe rupture" who is receiving multiple medications... the schedule we're following was ordered by the physician, but I intend to ask him in the morning the correct order....

You'll do FINE on the NCLEX, Melissa... you're obviously studying hard!

Peace:)