Drugs that dilate the pupils are called:

Mydriatics are medications or substances specifically designed to dilate the pupils of the eyes, which is a process known as mydriasis. These drugs work by relaxing the muscles in the iris that constrict the pupil, allowing it to widen. This effect is often used in medical examinations to enable healthcare professionals to better observe the interior structures of the eye.

In contrast, miotics refer to drugs that constrict the pupils, beta-blockers are primarily used in treating cardiovascular conditions and may have effects on eye pressure but are not primarily aimed at pupil dilation, while anesthetics serve to block sensation and pain, but do not specifically target pupil size in the same way that mydriatics do. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why mydriatics is the accurate term for drugs that cause pupil dilation.