Medicated eye drops may have dual therapeutic and diagnostic uses that form part of the ophthalmic assessment paradigm. In this review article, commonly administered and prescribed eye drops were analyzed for their use as a diagnostic tool.
It examines the common categories of eye drops—antimicrobial agents, topical anesthetics, mydriatics, and ocular anti-hypertensives, with respect to their therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Knowledge of the pharmacological effects of eye drops is an important aspect in performing clinical duties. Diagnostic tests by utilization of eye drops are safe, efficient, noninvasive, and informative to the eye care professional.
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