Corneal endothelial toxicity of dapiprazole hydrochloride

A new adrenergic antagonist designed for topical use to induce pupillary miosis has been tested for direct toxicity on isolated rabbit corneal endothelium. Dapiprazole hydrochloride was perfused across endothelia in the specular microscope at concentrations from 1.25 micrograms/ml to 1000 micrograms/ml. No toxicity was observed, as determined by corneal thickness determinations over a 3 hour perfusion period, until concentrations greater than 125 micrograms/ml were reached. At 250 micrograms/ml a swelling rate of 17.8 microns/hour occurred, and at 500 micrograms/ml the swelling rate was 17.1 microns/hour; with 1000 micrograms/ml inducing a swelling rate of 23.3 microns/hour. It is evident that the drug concentration that reaches the endothelium after topical application has no toxic effect on the cornea, and that the drug should only be used as directed and not used as an anterior chamber perfusate.