Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Atropine is a powerful mydriatic and cycloplegic drug that can take up to two weeks to wear off. It is commonly used for conditions such as uveitis, iritis, and amblyopia. Atropine works by dilating the pupil (mydriasis) and relaxing the ciliary muscle of the eye (cycloplegia), which temporarily paralyzes the ability of the eye to focus. This prolonged effect makes it particularly useful in certain eye conditions where long-lasting pupil dilation and cycloplegia are beneficial.

The other options, Cyclopentolate, Homatropine, and Tropicamide, are also commonly used as mydriatics and cycloplegics in ophthalmic practice, but they do not have the same duration of action as Atropine. Cyclopentolate typically lasts around 6-24 hours, Homatropine lasts about 24-72 hours, and Tropicamide has a shorter duration of action, usually around 4-8 hours.