title: Topical brimonidine reduces collateral damage caused by laser photocoagulation for choroidal neovascularization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the neuroprotective efficacy of brimonidine applied topically to the eyes of patients undergoing laser treatment for extrafoveal or juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective, controlled, double-masked pilot study, 20 eyes were randomized to receive either brimonidine 0.2% (study group, 11 eyes) or placebo (matched control group, 9 eyes). Medications were topically applied twice a day during a period of 4-48 h before laser treatment and were continued for 1 month.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two eyes in each group had severe visual loss owing to recurrence of CNV. In the remaining 16 eyes there was a significant improvement in the study group, but no improvement in the control group (P=0.027).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical brimonidine improves the visual outcome of laser-treated classic extrafoveal or juxtafoveal CNV, possibly by protecting the neuroretina against collateral damage caused by the laser treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Meir Medical Center, 44281 Kfar-Saba, Israel. ferencz@zahav.net.il
authors.forename: Joseph R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ferencz
authors.forename: Gila
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gilady
authors.forename: Orly
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Harel
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Belkin
authors.forename: Ehud I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Assia
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000601:surgery*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate