Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

What are two primary causes of medicamentosa in eye care?

1. Infrequent use of antibiotic drops

2. Too-frequent use and toxic preservatives in drops

3. Improper storage of eye drops

4. Using non-prescribed eye medications

The correct answer is: Too-frequent use and toxic preservatives in drops

The correct choice is related to the understanding of medicamentosa, which refers to a condition resulting from the overuse of medications, particularly topical ones like eye drops. In the context of eye care, two primary causes are indeed the excessive frequency of use and the presence of toxic preservatives in the eye drops. When eye drops, especially those containing preservatives, are used too frequently, they can lead to a tolerance or rebound effect in patients. This may result in an increase in symptoms that the drops were initially intended to alleviate, creating a cycle where the patient continuously uses the drops to counteract the worsening condition. The preservatives commonly found in many topical ocular medications can also contribute to ocular surface toxicity, exacerbating discomfort and potentially leading to further dependency on the medication. In contrast, infrequent use of antibiotic drops does not typically relate to medicamentosa, as infrequent usage generally does not lead to tolerance or rebound effects. Improper storage of eye drops could impact their efficacy and safety but is not a direct cause of medicamentosa. Using non-prescribed medications may lead to other adverse effects but does not specifically align with the definition and causes of medicamentosa. Thus, focusing on the frequency of use and toxic ingredients provides the clearest linkage to the