Response to topical epinephrine. A practical prognostic test in patients with ocular hypertension.
Eighty patients with ocular hypertension (intraocular pressure greater than 20 mm Hg) and GG-response to topical corticosteroids (over 31 mm Hg after six weeks of topical dexamethasome 0.1% four times a day) were tested for ocular hypotensive response to topical epinephrine. Of 80 patients observed for five to ten years, 20 (25%) developed gluacomatous visual field defects, and 34 (43%) were "responders" to topical epinephrine (IOP reduction of greater than 5 mm Hg). Of 20 patients who developed glaucomatous visual field defects, 17 (85%) had responded to topical epinephrine, but only 28% of those who did not have visual field defects showed this type of epinephrine response. Of 34 epinephrine responders, 17 (50%) developed glaucomatous visual field defects as compared to three of 46 (6.5%) nonresponders. The initial applanation IOP level proved less valuable as a prognostic indicator.
D000287:Administration, Topical; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011379:Prognosis
D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D004837:Epinephrine