Effects of topically applied bupranolol on the intraocular pressure. Effects on the untreated eye

Topically applied bupranolol, a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, has been shown to have a marked effectiveness in lowering the intraocular pressure of the normal and glaucomatous eyes. The effects were not only seen in the treated eyes but also in the untreated, contralateral eyes. The contralateral response was independent of the ongoing diurnal variation of the intraocular pressure. Instillation of the drug into the nasal cavity induced decrease of the intraocular pressure in both eyes, the extent of which was comparable to the contralateral response induced by ocular instillation. These observations suggest that the contralateral response is caused by systemically absorbed drug, probably due to the action on the central locus regulating the intraocular pressure. Instillation of pilocarpine did not show any similar contralateral response.