[A clinical observation of the therapeutic effects of pilocarpine gel for treatment of glaucoma].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether pilocarpine gel (PG) is better than pilocarpine solution (PS) for treatment of glaucoma.


METHODS
20 cases with glaucoma treated with 4% PG once every night were compared with 20 cases with glaucoma using 1% PS 4 times a day. The intraocular pressure (IOP), pupil diameter and refraction were examined 4 times a day in both groups.


RESULTS
The PG could lower IOP by 25% - 37% and the PS by 20% - 25%, the hypotensive effect of PG could last 24 hours. The PG had the strongest hypotensive effect 5 - 13 hours after its application, and a stronger action than PS at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m, this is particularly beneficial for the control of the peak IOP before awaking and in the morning. The strongest action of miosis and accommodation enhancement of PG took place 5 - 8 hours after its application when the patients were sleeping, whereas the PS induced a fluctuating miosis and myopia in the day time. In addition, the PG was more convenient to be used than PS due to its single application for 24 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
The PG has some advantages in the respects of compliance, lowering IOP and side-effects, thus it is worthwhile to promote its manufacture.
Yuan
J
J
Department of Ophthalmology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan 430022.
Wei
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011680:Pupil / Q000187:drug effects; D012029:Refraction, Ocular
D005782:Gels; D010862:Pilocarpine