Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) Practice Exam 2025

Which of the following is classified as an eye anesthetic?

1. Proparacaine

2. Mydriatics

3. Phenylephrine

4. Cyclopentolate

The correct answer is: Proparacaine

Proparacaine is classified as an eye anesthetic primarily because it is specifically used to numb the surface of the eye before procedures that may cause discomfort, such as tonometry or foreign body removal. Its rapid onset and short duration make it an effective option for topical anesthesia in ophthalmic procedures. This characteristic distinguishes it from other choices, which serve different purposes in eye care. Mydriatics, for instance, are agents used to dilate the pupils, while Phenylephrine is a specific type of mydriatic that acts as a vasoconstrictor and also causes pupil dilation. Cyclopentolate, on the other hand, is an anticholinergic agent used primarily for its cycloplegic properties, which temporarily paralyze the ciliary muscle to facilitate refraction testing and eye examinations. Thus, Proparacaine is the only correct answer as it serves the function of providing local anesthesia to the eye.