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Effect of apraclonidine in long-term timolol users
N Z Gharagozloo1, R F Brubaker
1Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
Ophthalmology
|October 1, 1991
Summary
A single dose of apraclonidine significantly reduced aqueous humor flow and intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients already using timolol eye drops. This suggests apraclonidine may offer additive benefits for glaucoma management.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
- Timolol is a common first-line treatment for glaucoma.
- The efficacy of adjunctive therapies for patients on long-term timolol requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the additive effect of apraclonidine on aqueous humor dynamics and intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients receiving long-term timolol therapy.
- To explore the mechanism of action of adrenergic drugs in the human eye.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
- Seventeen patients with glaucoma or glaucoma suspect on long-term timolol received a single dose of apraclonidine in one eye and placebo in the fellow eye.
- Aqueous flow and IOP were measured and compared between the treated and untreated eyes.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in pretreatment aqueous flow was observed between eyes.
- Apraclonidine significantly reduced aqueous flow (1.39 +/- 0.41 microliter/min) compared to placebo (1.66 +/- 0.38 microliter/min) (P < 0.01).
- Apraclonidine resulted in a statistically significant reduction in IOP by 1.3 mmHg (P = 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Apraclonidine demonstrates an additive effect in reducing aqueous humor flow and IOP in patients treated with timolol.
- These findings contribute to understanding the mechanism of adrenergic drugs in ocular physiology.
- Apraclonidine may be a valuable adjunctive therapy for managing glaucoma in patients on timolol.