EFFECT OF DRUGS ON RABBIT EYE – MYDRIATICS

Aim
By conducting the experiment the learners can appreciate the effects of various drugs
on the pupil size, corneal reflex and light reflex
Materials required
Rabbit, rabbit holder, dropper, torch, cotton wisp, measuring tape, normal saline &
drugs
Procedure
1. Hold the rabbit by its ear with one hand while supporting its bottom with another
hand
2. Fit the rabbit to the rabbit holder
3. Clip the eye lashes using curved scissors since the eye lashes may interfere
4. Keep one eye as control and other as test
5. Use pouch technique to instill drug
6. Press the medial canthus of eye for 1 min
7. Check for corneal reflex, light reflex & pupil size

Observation

Drug Light reflex Corneal reflex Pupil size

Before After Before After Before After

Right Test drug Present Absent Present Present 7 7 9 9

Left Saline Present Present Present Present 7 7 7 7

Inference
• Loss of light reflex
• Presence of corneal reflex
• Pupil size increased

Conclusion
The most probable test drug is mydriasis as light reflex is absent, the test drug could
be ATROPINE
 Questions & answers
1. Identify this chart and write two example

Loss of light reflex, Presence of corneal reflex & Pupil size increased, so it could be
mydriatics. Eg; Homatropine & Tropicamide

2. Write the mechanism for this effect

Blocks M3 receptor present in circular muscle or iris producing dilatation of pupil, in
ciliary muscle causing loss of accommodation and in lacrimal glands producing
decrease in tears

3. Write 2 ophthalmic uses of this drug

Fundus examination for refractive errors
Iridocyclitis

4. Write pathway for light reflex

Retina – optic nerve – optic chiasma – optic tract – Edinger Westphal nucleus

5. Write the procedure for this experiment

 Hold the rabbit by its ear with one hand while supporting its bottom with
another hand
 Fit the rabbit to the rabbit holder
 Clip the eye lashes using curved scissors since the eye lashes may interfere
 Keep one eye as control and other as test
 Use pouch technique to instill drug
 Press the medial canthus of eye for 1 min.
 Check for pupil size, corneal reflex & light reflex
 EFFECT OF DRUGS ON RABBIT EYE – MIOTICS
Aim
By conducting the experiment, the learners can appreciate the effects of various drugs
on the pupil size, corneal reflex and light reflex
Materials required
Rabbit, rabbit holder, dropper, torch, cotton wisp, measuring tape, normal saline &
drugs
Procedure
1. Hold the rabbit by its ear with one hand while supporting its bottom with
another hand
2. Fit the rabbit to the rabbit holder
3. Clip the eye lashes using curved scissors since the eye lashes may interfere
4. Keep one eye as control and other as test
5. Use pouch technique to instill drug
6. Press the medial canthus of eye for 1 min
7. Check for corneal reflex, light reflex & pupil size

Observation

Eye Drug Pupillary size Light reflex Corneal reflex

Before After Before After Before After

Left Test 7 7 5 4 Present Present Present Present

drug

Right Saline 7 7 7 7 Present Present Present Present

Inference
• Pupil size is decreased
• Corneal reflex present
• Light reflex present
Conclusion
The most probable test drug is miotics, the test drug could be pilocarpine or physostigmine
QUESTIONS
1. Identify this chart and write two example
Pupil size is decreased, Corneal reflex present & Light reflex present indicates it
could be miotics. Eg; pilocarpine & physostigmine

2. Write the mechanism for this effect

Acts on M3 receptor present in circular muscle or iris, contraction of which produces
dilatation of pupil, in ciliary muscle causing accommodated to near vision and in
lacrimal glands producing increase in tears

3. Write two uses

Glaucoma, to counteract mydriatic effect

4. Write pathway for light reflex

Retina – optic nerve – optic chiasma – optic tract – Edinger Westphal nucleus

5. Write the procedure for this experiment

 Hold the rabbit by its ear with one hand while supporting its bottom with another
hand
 Fit the rabbit to the rabbit holder
 Clip the eye lashes using curved scissors since the eye lashes may interfere
 Keep one eye as control and other as test
 Use pouch technique to instill drug
 Press the medial canthus of eye for 1 min.
 Check for pupil size, corneal reflex & light reflex
 EFFECT OF DRUGS ON RABBIT EYE – LOCAL ANAESTHETICS
Aim
By conducting the experiment the learners can appreciate the effects of various drugs
on the pupil size, corneal reflex and light reflex
Materials required
Rabbit, rabbit holder, dropper, torch, cotton wisp, measuring tape, normal saline &
drugs
Procedure
1. Hold the rabbit by its ear with one hand while supporting its bottom with another
hand
2. Fit the rabbit to the rabbit holder
3. Clip the eye lashes using curved scissors since the eye lashes may interfere
4. Keep one eye as control and other as test
5. Use pouch technique to instill drug
6. Press the medial canthus of eye for 1 min
7. Check for corneal reflex, light reflex & pupil size

Observation

Eye Drug Pupillary size Light reflex Corneal reflex

Before After Before After Before After

Left Test 5 5 5 5 Present Present Present Absent

drug

Right Saline 5 5 5 5 Present Present Present Present

Inference

• Pupil size normal

• Light reflex present
 • Corneal reflex is absent
Conclusion
The most probable test drug could be local anaesthetic and the test drug is lignocaine or
coccaine

Questions

1. Identify this chart and write two example

Pupil size normal, Light reflex present & Corneal reflex is absent indicates it could be local
anaesthetics. Eg: lignocaine & benzocaine

2. Write the mechanism for this effect

Local anaesthetics blocks impulse conduction and produce reversible loss of
sensation to particular region.

3. Write two uses

For eye surgery & Foreign body removal

4. Write the steps for checking corneal reflex

Corneal reflex is elicited by touching the cornea from the side using a cotton wisp.
A positive corneal reflex is indicated by blinking of eye lids

5. Write the procedure for this experiment

 Hold the rabbit by its ear with one hand while supporting its bottom with
another hand
 Fit the rabbit to the rabbit holder
 Clip the eye lashes using curved scissors since the eye lashes may interfere
 Keep one eye as control and other as test
 Use pouch technique to instill drug
 Press the medial canthus of eye for 1 min.
 Check for pupil size, corneal reflex & light reflex