Pharmaceutical Sales Training Practice Test

Ophthalmic drugs are formulated to act locally on the eye, using drops or ointments to treat the surface and anterior tissues. Because the eye is a delicate, sterile environment, these preparations must be sterile to prevent infections and isotonic to tear fluid to avoid irritation or damage from osmotic stress. Isotonicity—roughly matching the osmolarity of tears (about 0.9% saline)—keeps cells stable and comfortable as the drops or ointments come into contact with the ocular surface. Drops and ointments are common ophthalmic dosage forms designed for local effect, and while gels can be used in the eye as well, the overall category they belong to is ophthalmic drugs. The other options describe different routes or formulations (gaseous drugs for inhalation, otic drugs for the ear), which do not fit the eye-focused context.