A client has been prescribed pilocarpine eye drops. Which condition is the nurse aware the client likely has?

A client has been prescribed pilocarpine eye drops. Which condition is the nurse aware the client likely has?

• A. Cataracts
• B. Primary open-angle glaucoma
• C. Macular degeneration
• D. Conjunctivitis

Answer: (B)

Pilocarpine eye drops are primarily used to treat primary open-angle glaucoma, a condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that can lead to optic nerve damage and vision loss. Pilocarpine is a cholinergic agonist that works by stimulating the sphincter muscle of the iris, causing miosis (constriction of the pupil) and facilitating the outflow of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork. This reduction in intraocular pressure is essential in managing glaucoma. In contrast, cataracts are clouding of the lens and do not require treatment with pilocarpine, while macular degeneration primarily affects the retina rather than the intraocular pressure, so pilocarpine wouldn't be indicated for that condition either. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, often treated with antiseptic drops or antibiotics, not pilocarpine. Understanding the specific uses of pilocarpine clarifies its appropriateness for individuals diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma.

Pilocarpine eye drops are primarily used to treat primary open-angle glaucoma, a condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that can lead to optic nerve damage and vision loss. Pilocarpine is a cholinergic agonist that works by stimulating the sphincter muscle of the iris, causing miosis (constriction of the pupil) and facilitating the outflow of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork. This reduction in intraocular pressure is essential in managing glaucoma.

In contrast, cataracts are clouding of the lens and do not require treatment with pilocarpine, while macular degeneration primarily affects the retina rather than the intraocular pressure, so pilocarpine wouldn't be indicated for that condition either. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, often treated with antiseptic drops or antibiotics, not pilocarpine. Understanding the specific uses of pilocarpine clarifies its appropriateness for individuals diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma.