Which drug is a powerful mydriatic and cycloplegic that can take up to two weeks to wear off?

The correct choice is Atropine because it is recognized as a potent mydriatic, which means it is effective in dilating the pupils, and it is also a cycloplegic, meaning it temporarily paralyzes the ciliary muscle of the eye, inhibiting accommodation. This makes it particularly useful in ophthalmic examinations. One of the notable characteristics of atropine is its long duration of action; the effects can persist for up to two weeks, depending on dosage and individual response.

Understanding this characteristic is essential in a clinical context, especially for practitioners who need to consider the timeframe in which their patients will experience altered vision following the administration of the drug. Such prolonged effects set atropine apart from other mydriatics that are commonly used in practice, which generally wear off much sooner.