Final answer:
Phenylephrine is a mydriatic agent used to dilate pupils for eye examinations, acting as an α1-adrenergic agonist. Pilocarpine is a muscarinic agonist that reverses mydriasis and helps in treating glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Agents for Pupillary Dilation:
Agents used for the purpose of dilating the pupils during internal eye examinations are known as mydriatics. Phenylephrine is a common agent that induces mydriasis by mimicking the action of norepinephrine on adrenergic receptors in the iris smooth muscle.
Phenylephrine is used by healthcare professionals to facilitate a comprehensive assessment of the eye's interior. This sympathomimetic drug is an α1-adrenergic agonist and is also utilized to increase blood pressure under certain medical conditions. On the other hand, pilocarpine serves as a reversal for mydriasis by acting as a nonspecific muscarinic agonist. It contracts the ciliary muscle, thereby aiding in the reduction of intraocular pressure, making it an important treatment for glaucoma.