Effect of brimonidine tartrate on ocular hemodynamics in healthy volunteers.
While alpha2-adrenergic agonists, such as brimonidine tartrate, significantly reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP), the presence of vasoconstrictor postsynaptic alpha2 receptors on vascular smooth muscle raise the possibility that brimonidine could potentially compromise ocular blood flow. Consequently, the ocular hemodynamic effects of brimonidine were studied in normal subjects. Twelve healthy volunteers were included in this prospective, double-masked, placebo controlled, crossover-designed clinical trial. They received either brimonidine tartrate 0.2% or placebo b.i.d. for 2 weeks. Goldmann tonometry and color Doppler imaging (CDI) were performed at baseline, at 2 hr, 1 week, and 2 weeks after the treatment. Fundus angiography using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope was performed at baseline and 2 weeks after treatment to determine retinal arteriovenous passage time. Brimonidine lowered IOP at 2 hr, 1 week, and 2 weeks (p = 0.058, p = 0.031, and p = 0.022, respectively). Brimonidine did not affect the retrobulbar arterial velocities measured by CDI, nor retinal arteriovenous passage time. In conclusion, two-week treatment with brimonidine reduces IOP and does not reduce the bulk retinal or retrobulbar arterial perfusion in young healthy volunteers.
Jonescu-Cuypers
C P
CP
Glaucoma Research and Diagnostic Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis 46202, USA.
Harris
A
A
Ishii
Y
Y
Kagemann
L
L
Gazozi
H J
HJ
Rotenstreich
Y
Y
Chung
H S
HS
Martin
B
B
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D019842:Ciliary Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009880:Ophthalmic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate