Ophthalmologic therapeutics

For the treatment of ocular disorders, the emergency physician has access to a variety of medications and delivery systems. This article focuses on topically applied ophthalmic medications: ointments and solutions, which are placed in the inferior conjunctival cul-de-sac, and hyperosmotic agents, which are administered parenterally. The indications, contraindications, potential side effects, mechanism of action, and dosage schedules for eight categories of ophthalmic agents are described. For most patients requiring ophthalmologic treatment in the emergency department, topical agents are highly efficacious, easy to administer, associated with few side effects, and inexpensive.