Reversal of intraocular pressure increases with 0.5% apraclonidine after dilated fundus examination in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Apraclonidine 1.0% has been shown to reverse the potential intraocular pressure (IOP) increase after pupil dilation IOP increases in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma. However, it is only approved for preventing IOP spikes after laser surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of 0.5% apraclonidine in reversing IOP increases after pupillary dilation in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma.

METHODS:

Twenty-two patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma were found to have an increase in post-dilation IOP of at least 4 mmHg from pre-dilated levels (baseline) in both eyes. IOP was measured 1 hour after dilation, after which two drops of 0.5% apraclonidine were instilled in one eye and the IOP was remeasured 15 minutes later in both eyes. Instillation of 0.5% apraclonidine in one eye was continued every 15 minutes and IOP was measured 15 minutes after each instillation, until the pressure returned to baseline levels.

RESULTS:

The IOP of the initially treated eye of all 22 patients returned to within levels clinically insignificant from baseline IOP within 90 minutes. By comparison, the IOP of the control group (untreated eye) remained elevated. Once the initial treatment eye returned to baseline levels, the control group was then treated with 0.5% apraclonidine, resulting in a lowering effect of the IOP in similar fashion to the initial treated group.

CONCLUSIONS:

Apraclonidine 0.5% appears to be effective in reduction of post-dilated IOP increases in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma.

• Authors: J H Nishimoto, F W Chang, I H Tang, T Kolin
• Journal: Journal of the American Optometric Association (J Am Optom Assoc) Vol. 70 Issue 4 Pg. 233-9 (Apr 1999) ISSN: 0003-0244 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10457699 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
• Mydriatics
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Phenylephrine
• apraclonidine
• Clonidine
• Tropicamide

Topics

• Adrenergic alpha-Agonists (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Chronic Disease
• Clonidine (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Fundus Oculi
• Glaucoma, Open-Angle (diagnosis, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Intraocular Pressure (drug effects)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mydriatics (administration & dosage)
• Ophthalmic Solutions (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Phenylephrine (administration & dosage)
• Pupil (drug effects)
• Tropicamide (administration & dosage)