Adrenergic Agonists Practice Test

Topical α2-adrenergic agonists lower intraocular pressure mainly by decreasing aqueous humor production at the ciliary body through α2 receptor activation. Apraclonidine fits this mechanism and is used to reduce IOP in ocular hypertension, often as a short-term measure around procedures or in early management. It’s the best choice because it specifically acts on α2 receptors to curb aqueous formation, whereas the other options do not share this mechanism. Epinephrine is a nonselective adrenergic agonist that can raise or unpredictably affect IOP and has broader systemic effects; timolol is a beta-blocker that reduces production but is not an α2 agonist; latanoprost is a prostaglandin analog that increases outflow rather than reducing production.