[The effect of brimonidine on postoperative hypertonia after an extracapsular cataract extraction].
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a prospective study to determine the effect of topical administration of brimonidine tartrate 0.2% on postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes during the first 24 hours after an extracapsular cataract extraction.


METHODS
In a placebo-controlled study, we randomized 40 consecutive normotensive eyes undergoing extracapsular cataract surgery into two treatment modalities. Twenty eyes (group A) received placebo and 20 eyes (group B) were given brimonidine tartate 0.2% drops twice the day before and twice on the day of the operation. IOP was measured at baseline (prior to surgery) and then 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively.


RESULTS
Mean postoperative IOP was higher in the placebo group than in the brimonidine group at every time point studied. In both groups, peak elevation of mean IOP was recorded 6 hours after surgery. At that time, mean IOP was significantly higher in the placebo group (36.2+/-4.0 mmHg) than in the brimonidine group (24.7+/-3.8 mmHg) (p<0.001). A gradual reduction in IOP followed, yet with significantly higher values than those found preoperatively, even 12 hours after surgery (p<0.001). It was only the brimonidine group that achieved a near-to-normal mean IOP 24 hours after surgery (p>0.05). Four of the placebo group patients compared to 1 of the brimonidine group patients had an IOP higher than 40 mmHg 6 hours after surgery and therefore received additional therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Prophylactic treatment with brimonidine tartrate 0.2% drops twice a day for 2 days is effective in reducing IOP spikes throughout the first 24 hours after an extracapsular cataract extraction.
Katsimpris
J-M
JM
Clinique d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpital Général de Patras Agios Andreas , Grèce. jkatsimpris@yahoo.com
Petropoulos
I-K
IK
Voros
G
G
Gerodimos
G
G
Pharmakakis
N-M
NM
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate