Effect of 0.2% brimonidine in preventing intraocular pressure elevation after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prophylactic effect of 0.2% brimonidine in reducing the elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients undergoing Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.


METHODS
The 81 patients (81 eyes), who underwent Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy, were allocated to two treatment groups. One drop of 0.2% brimonidine or vehicle was instilled 1 hour preoperatively and one drop immediately after capsulotomy. IOPs were measured preoperatively and 1, 2, 3, and 24 hours postoperatively.


RESULTS
Intraocular pressure decreased from the baseline in the brimonidine group by the third postoperative hour (P<0.05), while the vehicle group exhibited an increase. Intraocular pressure elevations of 5 mm Hg or greater occurred in 7.3% (3/41) in the brimonidine group compared to 20.0% (8/40) in the vehicle group. IOP elevations of 10 mm Hg or greater occurred in 2.4% (1/41) in the brimonidine group compared to 7.5% (3/40) in the vehicle group.


CONCLUSIONS
One drop of 0.2% brimonidine instilled 1 hour preoperatively and immediately after capsulotomy was found to be efficacious and safe in preventing IOP elevations that frequently follow Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.
Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
G J
GJ
Seong
Y G
YG
Lee
J H
JH
Lee
S J
SJ
Lim
S C
SC
Lee
Y J
YJ
Hong
O W
OW
Kwon
H B
HB
Kim
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate