Effect of topical brinzolamide 1% and brimonidine 0.2% on intraocular pressure after phacoemulsification.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of brinzolamide 1% (Azopt) and brimonidine 0.2% (Alphagan) with a placebo in preventing an early increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) after phacoemulsification.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Baskent University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.


METHODS
In this prospective double-masked study, 90 eyes of 90 patients having clear corneal phacoemulsification were randomly divided into 3 groups of 30 eyes each. One hour before surgery, 1 group received 1 drop of brinzolamide 1%, another received 1 drop of brimonidine 0.2%, and the third received 1 drop of a balanced saline solution (placebo). The IOP was measured preoperatively and 3 and 16 to 20 hours postoperatively.


RESULTS
Three hours postoperatively, the mean IOP increased by 4.2 mm Hg +/- 7.0 (SD), 3.2 +/- 6.4 mm Hg, and 5.3 +/- 4.2 mm Hg in the brinzolamide, brimonidine, and placebo groups, respectively. The IOP increase from baseline was significant in all 3 groups (all P<.01), with no difference between the groups (P>.05). The change in IOP at 16 to 20 hours was 0.2 +/- 2.8 mm Hg, 0.2 +/- 2.4 mm Hg, and -0.8 +/- 2.4 mm Hg, respectively. The changes were not significant compared to baseline (all P>.05). Six eyes (20%) in the brinzolamide group, 5 eyes (16.7%) in the brimonidine group, and 7 eyes (23.3%) in the placebo group had an IOP higher than 25 mm Hg 3 hours postoperatively; the difference between groups was not significant (P =.8).


CONCLUSIONS
Prophylactic use of 1 drop of brinzolamide or brimonidine was not more effective than a placebo in controlling early postoperative IOP elevations after clear corneal phacoemulsification.
Başkent University, School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Bahcelievler 06490, Ankara, Turkey.
Altuğ
A
Cetinkaya
Ahmet
A
Akman
Yonca Aydin
YA
Akova
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013843:Thiazines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011810:Quinoxalines; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013843:Thiazines; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; C111827:brinzolamide