Systemic and ocular effects of alpha 2-adrenergic stimulating and beta 2-blocking agents

The effects of alpha 2-adrenergic stimulating agents (clonidine and guanabenz) and beta-adrenolytic agents (atenolol and propranolol) on the systemic arterial pressure, heart-rate, blood glucose level and intraocular pressure, as well as on the concentrations of glucose, Na+, K+ and Ca++ in the lens and aqueous and vitreous humours, are evaluated in the rabbit. alpha 2-adrenergic stimulating agents cause a significant increase of the glucose concentration in the blood, lens, aqueous and vitreous humours; whereas the beta-adrenolytic agents cause insignificant effects. Neither of the two drugs alters the concentration of Na+, K+ and Ca++ in the lens and aqueous and vitreous humours.