The efficacy of topical administration of brimonidine to reduce ischaemia in the very early stage of diabetic retinopathy in good controlled type-2 diabetes mellitus.
It is now proved that diabetic micro-angiopathy is caused by ischaemia at the capillary bed of retina due to reduced capillary blood flow in long standing type-2 diabetes mellitus. Deranged metabolic process due to chronic hypoxia at the tissue level produces visual and vascular dysfunction. Brimonidine tartrate, an alpha-2 agonist which is commonly used in glaucoma to protect retinal ganglion cells from pressure related ischaemia induced cell apoptosis, is administered in very early stage of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy to reduce ischaemia at the capillary bed of retina. Improved visual acuity and decreased micro-aneurysm formation, which indicate elimination of ischaemic stimulus at the tissue level, are seen in long standing type-2 diabetes mellitus.
Mondal
L K
LK
Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Kolkata 700073.
Baidya
K P
KP
Bhattacharya
B
B
Chatterjee
P R
PR
Bhaduri
G
G
D000783:Aneurysm / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000187:drug effects
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate