Ophthalmic Medications Practice Test

Postoperative eye care after cataract surgery aims to relieve pain and quiet inflammation to help healing and protect the retina. Prostaglandins are key players in both pain and inflammatory responses after surgery, so blocking their production is a direct way to address both symptoms. An ophthalmic NSAID, such as ketorolac, does exactly this by inhibiting cyclooxygenase and reducing prostaglandin levels in the eye. This provides meaningful pain relief and anti-inflammatory effect in the immediate post-op period, and NSAIDs are commonly included in the postoperative drop regimen for that reason. Corticosteroids like prednisolone acetate also reduce inflammation but work through different pathways and are often used in combination with NSAIDs; on their own they’re less focused on rapid pain control and carry their own risks, such as increased intraocular pressure. Latanoprost lowers intraocular pressure, not inflammation or pain, and tropicamide is a pupil-dilating drug used for examination or to facilitate healing, not for reducing post-op inflammation or pain.