Inhibition of the Apraclonidine induced Reduction of Intraocular Presure by Topical Suprofen in Normal Human Eyes

ABSTRACT

We studied the effect of prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor on the ocular hypotensive action of apraclonidine in a prospective, double-masked study. Twenty normal volunteers were studied. Suprofen, cyclooxygenase;nhibitor and apraclonidine were applied to one eye, and normal saline and apraclonidine to the other eye. Intraocular pressure(IOP) was then measured hourly in both eyes for 7 hours. The results showed significant reduction in mean IOP of both eyes one hour after apraclonidine application. The differences of IOP between the suprofen-treated eyes and control eyes were significant at 2 hours following treatment(p<0.05), reached maximum at 3 to 4 hours(p<0.01) and lasted until 7 hours(p<0.05). In suprofentreated eyes, there was less reduction of mean IOP than in control eyes. These results suggest that this reduction of IOP is at least in part mediated by prostaglandins or other cyclooxygenase products, since suprofen inhibits the ocular hypotensive effect of topically applied apraclonidine.