The combined use of apraclonidine and pilocarpine during laser iridotomy in a Hispanic population.
Early postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) rise is a frequent and vision-threatening complication of laser surgery for glaucoma. Recent studies show that apraclonidine, a new alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, can reduce the incidence of this problem. In a randomized, double-masked prospective study, we explored the efficacy of apraclonidine combined with pilocarpine during laser iridotomy in a Hispanic population. A significantly lower early postoperative IOP with less frequent severe pressure spikes occurred in the apraclonidine-treated patients. The addition of pilocarpine did not interfere with the beneficial effect of this medication. Of particular interest was the fact that chronic angle-closure glaucoma was the diagnosis in all patients who had a significant postoperative IOP rise in this study.
Fernandez-Bahamonde
J L
JL
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan.
Alcaraz-Michelli
V
V
D000368:Aged; D003000:Clonidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D015812:Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / Q000601:surgery; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000601:surgery; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D007498:Iris / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies
D010862:Pilocarpine; C016986:apraclonidine; D003000:Clonidine