Effect of tropicamide on aqueous flare before and after cataract surgery.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To examine the effect of tropicamide on flare intensity under phakic and pseudophakic conditions and to differentiate between the possible mechanisms of action of tropicamide on aqueous flare.

SETTING:

Department of Ophthalmology, Vienna General Hospital, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

METHODS:

In this prospective study, aqueous flare was measured with the laser flare-cell meter in 20 eyes of 20 patients with age-related cataract enrolled for cataract surgery. Measurements were performed before and 30, 90, and 180 minutes after pupil dilation with tropicamide 0.5%. This measurement was performed in the phakic eye on the day before surgery and in the pseudophakic eye on postoperative days 1, 3, 7, and 28.

RESULTS:

After tropicamide instillation, aqueous flare decreased preoperatively and on all postoperative days. There was a continuous flare decrease until 3 hours after instillation, reaching a maximum decrease of about 30%. Pupil diameter reached its maximum after 30 minutes.

CONCLUSION:

Tropicamide significantly decreased aqueous flare, seemingly by pharmacological means, not volumetric changes. The time between drug application and measurement should be kept constant.

• Authors: V Petternel, O Findl, A Kruger, J Schauersberger, M Amon
• Journal: Journal of cataract and refractive surgery (J Cataract Refract Surg) Vol. 26 Issue 3 Pg. 382-5 (Mar 2000) ISSN: 0886-3350 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10713233 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Mydriatics
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Tropicamide

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Aqueous Humor (cytology, metabolism)
• Cataract Extraction (adverse effects)
• Cell Count (drug effects)
• Humans
• Instillation, Drug
• Lens Implantation, Intraocular
• Middle Aged
• Mydriatics (therapeutic use)
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Prospective Studies
• Pseudophakia (metabolism)
• Pupil (drug effects)
• Treatment Outcome
• Tropicamide (therapeutic use)
• Uveitis, Anterior (etiology, metabolism, prevention & control)