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Increased ocular and systemic responsiveness to epinephrine in primary open-angle glaucoma
Archives of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|May 1, 1977
Summary
Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) showed greater ocular and cardiac responses to epinephrine compared to secondary glaucoma patients. This suggests POAG involves heightened sensitivity to this common glaucoma medication.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and secondary glaucoma are distinct ocular conditions.
- Epinephrine is a medication used in glaucoma treatment, but its differential effects require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the ocular and cardiac responsiveness to topical epinephrine hydrochloride in patients with POAG versus secondary glaucoma.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study matched 16 POAG patients with 16 secondary glaucoma patients by age, sex, and race.
- Intraocular pressure (IOP) and cardiac rhythm (premature ventricular contractions) were monitored during tonography after epinephrine hydrochloride treatment.
Main Results:
- Epinephrine significantly reduced IOP (>5 mm Hg) in 88% of POAG patients versus 31% of secondary glaucoma patients (p<0.005).
- Premature ventricular contractions occurred in 69% of POAG patients compared to 19% of secondary glaucoma patients (p<0.025).
Conclusions:
- Patients with POAG exhibit greater ocular and cardiac responsiveness to epinephrine than those with secondary glaucoma.
- This suggests an underlying difference in physiological response to epinephrine between POAG and secondary glaucoma