Glaucoma: cardioselective beta-blocker: practice question

A Ophthalmology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Ophthalmology · Glaucoma: cardioselective beta-blocker

Sample item

A glaucoma patient with mild chronic airway disease needs a topical beta-blocker. Which drug has relative beta-1 selectivity and is the usual choice in this situation?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Betaxolol

Betaxolol is relatively cardioselective and therefore has less effect on bronchial beta-2 receptors. It lowers pressure slightly less than timolol, and it is still used with caution in patients with airway disease.

Option by option

  • A. Timolol

    Timolol is non-selective and can precipitate bronchospasm.

  • B. Carteolol

    Carteolol is non-selective, with some intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, and does not spare the airways.

  • C. Levobunolol

    Levobunolol is non-selective and carries the same risk of bronchospasm.

  • D. Betaxolol (correct)

    Correct. Betaxolol is relatively beta-1 selective and less likely to provoke bronchospasm.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Ophthalmology questions

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is D, Betaxolol. Betaxolol is relatively cardioselective and therefore has less effect on bronchial beta-2 receptors.

Why is "Timolol" not the answer?

Timolol is non-selective and can precipitate bronchospasm.

Why is "Carteolol" not the answer?

Carteolol is non-selective, with some intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, and does not spare the airways.

Why is "Levobunolol" not the answer?

Levobunolol is non-selective and carries the same risk of bronchospasm.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Glaucoma: cardioselective beta-blocker in Ophthalmology. It lowers pressure slightly less than timolol, and it is still used with caution in patients with airway disease.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Glaucoma: cardioselective beta-blocker?

Group the red eye by what to examine and what the pupil does. Then use the flashcards and the other Ophthalmology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.