title: Effect of Topical Calcium Channel Blockers on Intraocular Pressure in Steroid-induced Glaucoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of 0.125% verapamil and 0.5% diltiazem eye drops on intraocular pressure (IOP) in steroid-induced glaucoma in rabbit eyes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 18 rabbits with steroid-induced glaucoma were divided into three groups (A, B and C; n = 6 each). Right eyes in groups A, B and C received 0.5% diltiazem, 0.125% verapamil and 0.5% timolol eye drops twice daily for 12 days, respectively; whereas, left eyes received distilled water. IOP was measured with Tono-pen XL at baseline, day 4, day 8, and day 12 of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both 0.5% diltiazem and 0.125% verapamil eye drops significantly reduced IOP compared to control eyes (p < 0.05). Reduction of IOP by 0.5% diltiazem, 0.125% verapamil eye drops were comparable to 0.5% timolol. No surface toxicity or systemic side effects were noted during the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Calcium channel blockers, verapamil, and diltia-zem significantly reduced IOP in rabbiteyes. This group of drugs may have a potential role in treatment of glaucoma How to cite this article: Ganekal S, Dorairaj S, Jhanji V, Kudlu K. Effect of Topical Calcium Channel Blockers on Intraocular Pressure in Steroid-induced Glaucoma. J Current Glau Prac 2014;8(1):15-19.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, JJM Medical College Davangere, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Sunil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ganekal
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Syril
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dorairaj
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Vishal
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jhanji
authors.affiliation: Medical Director, Department of Ophthalmology, Prasad Nethralaya, Udupi Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Krishnaprasad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kudlu
keywords: Calcium channel blockers; Intraocular pressure; Steroid-induced glaucoma.