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Long term effect of apraclonidine
S V Araujo1, J B Bond, R P Wilson
1William and Anna Goldberg Glaucoma Service and Research Laboratories, Wills Eye Hospital, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, USA.
The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|December 1, 1995
Summary
Chronic use of apraclonidine 0.5% showed a modest reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) for glaucoma patients. However, nearly half discontinued the medication due to side effects or insufficient IOP control.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Glaucoma management requires effective intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction.
- Chronic medication use is common in glaucoma treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term efficacy of apraclonidine 0.5% in lowering IOP.
- To document the side effect profile of chronic apraclonidine 0.5% use.
Main Methods:
- 185 glaucoma patients with uncontrolled IOP were enrolled.
- Patients received apraclonidine 0.5% in one eye, two to three times daily.
- Follow-up extended up to 35 weeks.
Main Results:
- A mean IOP reduction of 2.1 mm Hg was observed in treated eyes compared to control eyes.
- Similar IOP lowering was noted when comparing treated eyes to their own baseline.
- 46% of patients remained on apraclonidine 0.5% by the study's end.
Conclusions:
- Apraclonidine 0.5% demonstrated a limited, though present, IOP-lowering effect with chronic use.
- Significant proportions of patients discontinued the drug due to side effects (23%) or lack of efficacy (31%).
- The long-term utility of apraclonidine 0.5% in glaucoma management is constrained by its tolerability and effectiveness profile.