Long term effect of apraclonidine.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of the chronic use of apraclonidine 0.5% on the intraocular pressure (IOP) of patients with glaucoma; also, to study the side effect profile of this drug when used chronically.


METHODS
All patients who had uncontrolled IOP, who were either already on glaucoma medications, or who were intolerant of other glaucoma medications were enrolled. A total of 185 patients were started on apraclonidine 0.5% two to three times a day in one eye.


RESULTS
Follow up extended to 35 weeks. The mean difference in IOP between treated and control eyes was 2.1 (SD 5.0) mm Hg. A similar IOP lowering effect was obtained comparing IOP difference from baseline in the treated eye only.


CONCLUSIONS
By the end of the follow up period, 46% of patients were still on the medication. The drug was stopped in 23% of patients because of side effects and in 31% of patients because of failure to lower IOP significantly.
Araujo
S V
SV
William and Anna Goldberg Glaucoma Service and Research Laboratories, Wills Eye Hospital, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, USA.
Bond
J B
JB
Wilson
R P
RP
Moster
M R
MR
Schmidt
C M
CM
Spaeth
G L
GL
D000293:Adolescent; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003000:Clonidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; C016986:apraclonidine; D003000:Clonidine