ALO 2145 reduces the intraocular pressure elevation after anterior segment laser surgery

The effect of an alpha adrenergic agonist, ALO 2145 (para-amino-clonidine [PAC]), was examined in a double-masked, multicenter study on the postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation after laser surgery in 165 patients (83 trabeculoplasty, 36 iridotomy, and 46 capsulotomy). One drop of 1.0% ALO 2145 or vehicle was instilled 1 hour before and immediately after laser surgery. The mean IOP increase in the ALO 2145-treated group was lower (P less than 0.05) than in the placebo group at each of the first three postoperative hours. Overall, 18% of placebo-treated eyes experienced IOP increases greater than or equal to 10 mmHg as compared with 4% of ALO 2145-treated eyes (P less than 0.003). Ocular and systemic side effects were minimal and did not differ between the treatment groups. ALO 2145 safely and effectively reduced the incidence and magnitude of potentially harmful IOP elevations after anterior segment laser surgery.