Effect of apraclonidine versus dorzolamide on intraocular pressure after phacoemulsification.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of 1% apraclonidine hydrochloride and 2% dorzolamide hydrochloride in controlling postoperative intraocular pressure elevation in patients undergoing phacoemulsification.


METHODS
A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted. Seventy-five patients were randomized to receive either 1% apraclonidine hydrochloride, 2% dorzolamide hydrochloride, or artificial tears immediately after uncomplicated phacoemulsification. Intraocular pressure was measured by Goldmann applanation tonometer 1 to 3 hours preoperatively and 24 hours and 5 days postoperatively.


RESULTS
Mean intraocular pressure measured at 24 hours and 5 days after surgery was not significantly different between groups. None of the patients had an elevated intraocular pressure of 30 mm Hg or higher. No marked difference was observed in patient age, preoperative intraocular pressure, mean ultrasound time, degree of nuclear hardness, and amount of postoperative intraocular inflammation between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Uneventful phacoemulsification involving meticulous cortical and viscoelastic removal does not cause a significant increase in intraocular pressure 24 hours following surgery.
Onal
Sumru
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Gozum
Nilufer
N
Gucukoglu
Ahmet
A
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003000:Clonidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013876:Thiophenes; C016986:apraclonidine; C062765:dorzolamide; D003000:Clonidine