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Common mydriatics have no effect on the reptilian eye because both the iris sphincter and ciliary muscle contain striated (or skeletal) rather than smooth muscle. This means that they are under conscious control. Unlike mammals, the consensual pupillary response is absent, the cornea does not contain a Descemets membrane and scleral ossicles are often present. This renders the ocular examination more challenging but more importantly, the parasympatholytic topical drugs (that reduce the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system) used to dilate the pupil (mydriasis) in mammals are totally ineffective.
Common mydriatics have no effect on the reptilian eye because both the iris sphincter and ciliary muscle contain striated (or skeletal) rather than smooth muscle. This means that they are under conscious control. Therefore, unlike mammals, the consensual pupillary response is absent, the cornea does not contain a Descemets membrane and scleral ossicles are often present. This renders the ocular examination more challenging but more importantly, the parasympatholytic topical drugs (that reduce the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system) used to dilate the pupil (mydriasis) in mammals are totally ineffective.
A well developed parietal eye (with a lens and retina) is found in some lizards including the Green iguana. It functions in hormone regulation.
A well developed parietal eye (with a lens and retina) is found in some lizards including the Green iguana. It functions in hormone regulation.
==The pupil==
==The pupil==
The pupil is usually round and relatively immobile in diurnal species and is usually slit-like in nocturnal species.
The pupil is usually round and relatively immobile in diurnal species and is usually slit-like in nocturnal species.
==Ophthalmologic Examination==
The eyes are usually considered as a barometer of general health and environmental conditions; therefore a full ophthalmologic examination should be performed in all cases.
* Vision can and should be evaluated by observing certain behaviours such as a menace response.
* Following a general assessment of the eye and associated structures (eyelids, tear film, globe), a more detailed examination should be performed using a form of focal illumination and a magnification system.
* Examination of the ocular fundus to assess the retina (fundoscopy) can be carried out using a direct or indirect ophthalmoscope.
* Mydriasis can be attempted either through general anaesthesia or intracameral injection of neuromuscular blocking agents such as curare or d-tubocurarine. These agents can also be applied topically; however their effectiveness may be affected by the variable corneal penetration of the drugs.
* Other diagnostic tools, such as tonometry (measurement of the intraocular pressure), stains, cytology, bacteriology, histopathology and electron microscopy, in addition to routine diagnostic tools (haemotology, biochemistry, radiology and ultrasound) can also be used to detect an ocular disease or underlying problem in lizards.