What is a mechanism by which atropine sulfate helps treat uveitis?

• A. Stabilizes blood-aqueous barrier and reduces vascular protein leakage (flare)
• B. Speeds healing by epithelial turnover
• C. Eradicates intraocular infection
• D. Reduces eyelid edema

Answer: (A)

In uveitis the blood-aqueous barrier is disrupted, leading to protein-rich fluid in the front of the eye (flare) and pain from ciliary spasm. Atropine sulfate provides cycloplegia and mydriasis by blocking the muscarinic receptors in the iris and ciliary body. This immobilizes the iris and ciliary muscle, which reduces ciliary spasm and iris movement, thereby helping to stabilize the blood-aqueous barrier and lessen protein leakage into the anterior chamber. It also prevents posterior synechiae by keeping the iris mobile and separated from the lens. This combination of effects addresses the inflammatory sequelae in the anterior chamber, particularly flare, rather than directly eradicating infection, speeding epithelial turnover, or reducing eyelid edema.