Effect of dapiprazole, an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, on aqueous humor dynamics in pigmentary glaucoma.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

In this investigation the authors studied the effect of dapiprazole, an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, on aqueous humor dynamics in patients affected with pigmentary glaucoma.

METHODS:

Dapiprazole 0.5% eye drops were administered 3 times daily as adjunctive therapy to 16 pigmentary glaucoma patients in addition to timolol 0.5% eye drops twice daily. Computerized tonography was performed before and 3, 12 and 36 months after dapiprazole treatment. Sixteen sex- and age-matched pigmentary glaucoma patients treated with timolol 0.5% eye drops alone were used as a control group.

RESULTS:

After 36 months of follow-up, the dapiprazole-treated group showed a significant increase in total outflow facility (C, from 0.17 +/- 0.04 to 0.22 +/- 0.07 ml min-1 mm Hg-1; p = 0.010, paired t test) and Po/C ratio (Q) significantly decreased from 113.39 +/- 31.02 to 89.22 +/- 51.66 (p = 0.036, paired t test).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results show that the introduction of dapiprazole in the therapy of pigmentary glaucoma may be useful in the long-term management of these patients. Its mechanism of action is likely to be due to iridoplegia; in fact, a decrease in the shedding of pigment occurs, with time, the outflow facility increases and the pigment clearance from the trabecular meshwork is enhanced.

• Authors: L Mastropasqua, P Carpineto, M Ciancaglini, L Lobefalo, C Costagliola, P E Gallenga
• Journal: Ophthalmic research (Ophthalmic Res) Vol. 28 Issue 5 Pg. 312-8 ( 1996) ISSN: 0030-3747 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 8979280 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Piperazines
• Triazoles
• dapiprazole
• Timolol

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Aqueous Humor (drug effects, physiology)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Glaucoma, Open-Angle (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Intraocular Pressure (drug effects)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Piperazines
• Prospective Studies
• Timolol (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Tonometry, Ocular (methods)
• Treatment Outcome
• Triazoles (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)