The Effect of Apraclonidine Hydrochloride 0.5%Ve rsus 1%for Controlling Intraocular Pressure Elevation after Nd :YAG Laser Posterior Capsulotomy

ABSTRACT

Previous reports have shown that NdYAG laser capsulotomy is associated with elevated intraocular pressure(IOP). Topical apraclonidine hydrochloride has been shown to be effective in preventing postlaser pressure spikes. This study was designed to compare the effect of apraclonidine hydrochloride 0.5%versus 1% in controlling IOP elevation after NdYAG laser posterior capsulotomy. Fourteen eyes were treated with 0.5%apraclonidine(Group 1), twenty eyes with 1%apraclonidine(Group 2)and fifteen eyes without apra-clonidine(Group 3)in NdYAG laser posterior capsulotomy. The mean post-operative IOP at 1 to 3 hours of Group 3(15.0+/-3.6 mmHg, 16.0+/-4.3 mmHg) was higher than Group 1(10.8+/-3.5 mmHg, 11.6+/-3.0 mmHg)and Group 2 (11.2+/-3.0 mmHg, 12.7+/-2.3 mmHg)(P0.05). This result suggests that 0.5%and 1%apraclonidine are equally effective in preventing IOP rise and 0.5%apraclonidine can be a useful adjunct in preventing IOP elevation following NdYAG laser posterior capsulotomy.