What drug should never be given to someone with glaucoma?

What drug should never be given to someone with glaucoma?

• A. Atropine
• B. Timolol
• C. Pilocarpine
• D. Latanoprost

Answer: (A)

Glaucoma involves elevated intraocular pressure from impaired drainage of aqueous humor. Drugs that dilate the pupil can worsen this condition by narrowing the iridocorneal angle and blocking outflow, which can precipitate a dangerous rise in pressure. Atropine is a strong anticholinergic that causes pupil dilation and cycloplegia, so it should never be given to someone with glaucoma. The other options help lower intraocular pressure or improve drainage: timolol reduces aqueous humor production; pilocarpine increases outflow by constricting the pupil and opening the drainage pathway; latanoprost increases uveoscleral outflow.

Glaucoma involves elevated intraocular pressure from impaired drainage of aqueous humor. Drugs that dilate the pupil can worsen this condition by narrowing the iridocorneal angle and blocking outflow, which can precipitate a dangerous rise in pressure. Atropine is a strong anticholinergic that causes pupil dilation and cycloplegia, so it should never be given to someone with glaucoma.

The other options help lower intraocular pressure or improve drainage: timolol reduces aqueous humor production; pilocarpine increases outflow by constricting the pupil and opening the drainage pathway; latanoprost increases uveoscleral outflow.