Advanced Pharmacology I

EXPERIMENT NO. 4
EFFECT OF MYDRIATIC DRUG ON RABBITS EYE
AIM
To study the mydriatic efect of topically applied atropin on rabbits eye.
PRINCIPLE
A large number of drugs are used for their local action in the eye as
eye drops, or eye ointments. Most of these drugs belong to antimicrobial,
autonimic or local anaesthetic groups. The eye is supplied both by
sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. The superior palpebral muscle
and the dilator pupillae of the iris have sympathetic supply. The sphincter
paplillae of the iris has parasympathetic supply which exercises dominant
control. The ciliary muscle is also supplied by the parasympathetic nerve
and when it contracts, the ciliary body is moved inwards and forwards.
Because of this the lens bulges forward and the eye is acomodated for near
vision. The opposite efect is produced by the relaxation of ciliary muscle
resulting in paralysis of accomodation. When the pupil dilates, the iris folds
back near the opening of the canal of schlemn and the drainage of aqueos
humour is decreased thereby increasing in intraoccular pressure.
Constriction of pupil by the opposite action, will increase drainage and
reduce intraocular pressure.
Atropine, an atimuscarnic agent, blocks the efect of endogenously
released acetylcholine on the circular muscles of the iris and the muscles of
the ciliary bed to produce mydriasis and spasm of accomodation leadinng to
cycleplegia but without producing loss of corneal refex. The mydriatic efect

Advanced Pharmacology I
of atropine cab be easily demonstrated in rabbits. As per the CPCSEA
guidelines testing of drugs on eye has to be done with utmost care and prior
permission. The drug or the solution to be tested should not hurt or cause
permanent damage to the eye of the animal.
REQUIREMENTS
Animal - Rabbits (2-5 kgs)
Drugs - Atropine (1% w/v), physostigmine (1%w/v)
Equipments - Rabbit holder, torch light
PROCEDURE
1.Place the rabbit in the rabbit box keeping the head outside.
2.Observe the size of pupil in both the eyes.
3. Examine the efect of light refects by holding the torch infront of the eye
moving light beam to and fro.
4. examine the corneal refex by touching a side of the cornea with a cotton
swab of tip.
5. Instill a few drops of atropine solution in the conjunctiva (4-6 times) over a
period of 8-10 min in the right eye of the rabbit the left eye of the rabbit
would serve as control. Instill normal saline in left eye.
6. Record the pupillary size, light refex and corneal refex after 10 min of
drug instillation and tabulate observations.

Advanced Pharmacology I
7. Repeat the experiment with physostigmine and ephedrine.
OBSERVATIONS
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Drug Pupillary size Light refex Corneal refex
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Saline Normal Present Present
Physostigmine Constriction Present Present
Ephedrine Dilatation Present Present
Atropine Dilatation Absent Absent
REFERENCE
1.S.K Kulkarni Exptl. Pharmacology, page no. 193
REPORT
DATE SIGNITURE