[Effect of topically applied isopropyl unoprostone on microcirculation in the human ocular fundus evaluated with a...

The effect of topically applied 0.12% isopropyl unoprostone (unoprostone, Rescula) on the circulation of optic nerve head (ONH) and choroid-retina was studied using a laser speckle tissue circulation analyser in 9 normal human eyes. Normalized blur (NB), a quantitative index of blood flow velocity, was measured every 0.125 sec and averaged over 5 pulses in the temporal site of ONH free of surface vessels and in the middle site of the choroid-retina between ONH and macula. Intraocular pressure (IOP), blood pressure (BP), and pulse rate (PR) were also measured. On the first day, NB, IOP, BP, and PR were measured before and every 90 minutes for 6 hours after a 30 microliters instillation of placebo in both eyes (control eyes). The measured values were used as controls. On the other day one week later, a 30 microliters instillation of unoprostone was performed in one randomly chosen eye and the placebo in the other eye (treated and untreated eye). The above parameters were measured as the first day in a double masked manner. In the control experiment, no significant change occurred in any parameter. After topical application of unoprostone, NB in ONH showed no significant change. NB in the choroid-retina significantly increased at 3 (8%) and 4.5 (11%) hours in the treated eyes compared with the control eyes. After topical application of unoprostone, the IOP significantly decreased at 1.5 and 4.5 hours in the treated eyes compared with the control eyes. BP and PR showed no significant change. These results suggest that instillation of unoprostone can increase blood flow in the choroidretna in human eyes.