RESUMEN
Brimonidine tartrate, a drug composed of 5-bromo-6-(2-imidazolidinylidene-amino) guinoxaline L-tartrate, is a highly selective a2 adrenergic agonist that can decrease intraocular pressure in human eyes through a decrease aqueous humor production and an increase uveoscleral outflow. Fourteen patients with primary open angle glaucoma were given brimonidine tartrate topically. The patients were examined at the pre-study, the base line, the 2nd week, 4th week, 8th week and 12th week visit. Every patient had blood pressure, heart rate and other ocular findings especially intraocular pressure (IOP) checked. The IOP was significantly decreased during the 2nd week visit, and was steady from that period to the end of the study. The blood pressure, heart rate and other ocular findings showed no significant changes. In conclusion, brimonidine significantly decreased IOP in primary open angle glaucoma patients without significant changes in blood pressure, heart rate and other ocular findings. This topical drug could be an alternative treatment for glaucoma patients, and could delay surgery, which could have more serious side effects.