The Effect of Brimonidine 0.1% on Disc Hemorrhage in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients

This retrospective study evaluated the effect of adjunctive administration of brimonidine 0.1% on disc hemorrhage (DH) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or normal-tension glaucoma who were already treated with other anti-glaucoma drugs.

Patients with DH, before adjunctive therapy with brimonidine, were enrolled. Subjects were excluded if their treatment regimen was changed within 1 year after initiation of adjunctive therapy with brimonidine. We investigated the frequency of DH and intraocular pressure (IOP). Both parameters were compared before and after adjunctive administration of brimonidine.

The frequency of DH before and after brimonidine administration was 0.67±0.68 and 0.31±0.72 times/year, respectively, with a significant decrease (P=0.01), and the mean IOP before and after brimonidine administration was 12.5±1.9 and 11.2±2.2 mmHg, respectively, (P=0.0006) with a significant reduction after adjunctive administration.

The results of this study supported the hypothesis that the frequency of DH is reduced by brimonidine alongside lowering of IOP.