Use of 0.5% apraclonidine solution in evaluation of blepharoptosis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of instillation of a specific alpha2-adrenergic agonist, topical 0.5% apraclonidine solution, on upper eyelid position in patients with blepharoptosis.


METHODS
This study included 45 eyelids of 35 adult patients with blepharoptosis. Of these, 37 eyelids had acquired ptosis and 8 had congenital ptosis. Palpebral fissure height and margin-reflex distance in the upper eyelid were measured before and after instillation of 0.5% apraclonidine, 2.5% phenylephrine, and both drugs.


RESULTS
After instillation of 2.5% phenylephrine, 0.5% apraclonidine, and both drugs, the mean increases in palpebral fissure height were 2.12 mm+/-1.4 mm, 2.11 mm+/-1.4 mm, and 2.26 mm+/-1.3 mm, respectively, and the mean increases in margin-reflex distance were 1.93 mm+/-1.2 mm, 1.89 mm+/-1.3 mm, and 2.03 mm+/-1.2 mm, respectively (p=0.86 and p=0.85). The apraclonidine solution did not alter the test results in 14 eyelids in which the phenylephrine test results were negative.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical 0.5% apraclonidine solution can be as effective as topical 2.5% phenylephrine in elevating a ptotic upper eyelid, and may be used for preoperative evaluation of blepharoptosis. Combined use of both drugs may not provide any additional benefit.
Yazici
Bülent
B
Uludag University, Department of Ophthalmology, Bursa, Turkey. byazici@uludag.edu.tr
Beden
Umit
U
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001763:Blepharoptosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003000:Clonidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005143:Eyelids / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000294:innervation; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010656:Phenylephrine; C016986:apraclonidine; D003000:Clonidine