What type of drug is used to paralyze accommodation?

• A. Cycloplegic
• B. Mydriatic
• C. Anesthetic
• D. Antibiotic

Answer: (A)

Paralyzing accommodation comes from blocking the parasympathetic control of the ciliary muscle. Cycloplegic drugs do this by inhibiting muscarinic receptors in the ciliary body, so the ciliary muscle can’t contract and accommodation is stopped. This is why they’re used for accurate refractions, especially in children who otherwise accommodate during testing. Cycloplegics often cause pupil dilation as well because the same drug classes affect the iris sphincter. The other types don’t achieve this: anesthetics numb sensation, antibiotics treat infection, and mydriatics mainly dilate the pupil without reliably paralyzing accommodation (though they can be used alongside cycloplegics). Hence, the drug used to paralyze accommodation is cycloplegic.