Tag: Mydriatic drugs

Atropine, an anticholinergic agent, is widely recognized as the most potent mydriatic and cycloplegic drug available. While its powerful and long-lasting effects make it unsuitable for routine eye exams, understanding its pharmacology is key to appreciating how other mydriatics are used in a clinical setting. This powerful drug produces pupillary dilation that can last up to two weeks, a duration far exceeding that of more commonly used alternatives.

Approximately 20 million comprehensive eye exams involving pupil dilation are performed annually in the US. These procedures utilize common mydriatic drugs to widen the pupil, allowing eye care professionals to obtain a clear view of the inner structures of the eye, such as the retina and optic nerve.