Effect of dapiprazole, an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, on aqueous humor dynamics in pigmentary glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Mastropasqua
L
L
Institute of Ophthalmology, University G. D Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.
Carpineto
P
P
Ciancaglini
M
M
Lobefalo
L
L
Costagliola
C
C
Gallenga
P E
PE
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010879:Piperazines; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014230:Triazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010879:Piperazines; D014230:Triazoles; C035289:dapiprazole; D013999:Timolol