What is the purpose of cycloplegics in ocular inflammation management?

• A. Induce cycloplegia to reduce ciliary spasm, relieve pain, and prevent posterior synechiae.
• B. Directly kill infectious agents.
• C. Decrease tear production.
• D. Cause miosis.

Answer: (A)

In ocular inflammation, especially anterior uveitis, the painful aspect is often driven by ciliary muscle spasm. Cycloplegics block the parasympathetic input to the ciliary body and iris sphincter, causing paralysis of accommodation and pupil dilation. That relaxation of the ciliary muscle stops the spasm, which relieves the pain and photophobia. At the same time, keeping the iris relaxed and the pupil dilated helps prevent posterior synechiae—adhesions between the iris and the lens—by reducing iris movement and contact with the lens during inflammation. They are not antimicrobial agents, so they don’t directly kill infectious organisms. They aren’t used to decrease tear production as the primary goal, and they do the opposite of causing miosis by inducing mydriasis.