The Effect of Ocusert for the Treatment of Glaucoma

ABSTRACT

Ocusert pilo-20 and pilo-40 are soft, flexible plastic devices, sized 13 X 5.7 X 0.3mm in pilo-20, and were inserted under lower or upper conjunctival fornices that gradually released pilocarpine in constant zero-order delivery rate for 7 days. A group of 11 patients(15 eyes) with simple open-angle gloucoma was selected for this study. 1. The Ocusert pilocarpine delivery system could be used effectively in simple open angl glaucoma patients who require lifelong instillation of pilocarpine. 2. The Ocusert system is released constantly the pilocarpine with round the clock intraocular pressure control for 7 days period. 3. After removal of the Ocusert after 7 days. intraocular pressure has gradually increased again after one day's interval. 4. While the Ocusert pilo-40 is placing into the conjunctival fornix, maximum reduction of intraocular pressure was under 20mmHg then the cases of high intraocular pressure over 40mmHg are not effective with single use of the ocusert. 5. Significant side-effect about the ocusert was not observed, only wild foreign body sensation in early time and occassional misplacement or moving of the Ocusert into deep space of upper conjunctival fornix, which is difficult to removal out are observed.