Which class of glaucoma medications is associated with uveitis as a potential side effect?

• A. Parasympathomimetics
• B. Beta blockers
• C. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
• D. Prostaglandin analogs

Answer: (A)

A key idea here is that some glaucoma drugs can trigger inflammatory reactions inside the eye, especially in eyes with a history or tendency toward uveitis. Parasympathomimetics, such as pilocarpine, work by stimulating the pupil to constrict and the ciliary muscle to contract, which improves outflow of aqueous humor. In inflamed eyes, this constriction and ciliary activity can disrupt the blood-aqueous barrier and push inflammatory mediators into the anterior chamber, potentially triggering or worsening uveitis. So, while these medications are effective at lowering intraocular pressure, they carry a higher risk of provoking uveitis in susceptible patients.

The other classes are not as strongly linked to uveitis. Beta blockers mainly have systemic or local ocular side effects without a well-established association with intraocular inflammation. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors can cause sulfa-related reactions or metabolic effects but aren’t classic triggers of uveitis. Prostaglandin analogs are more commonly associated with local conjunctival hyperemia, iris pigment changes, and, in certain cases, inflammatory symptoms, but their link to uveitis is not as direct or typical as that of parasympathomimetics.