The Effects of 1% Apraclonidine in Preventing the Intraocular Pressure Rise FolIowing Argon Laser Surgery in Glaucoma

ABSTRACT

The effect of 1% apraclonidine(Lopidine) in preventing transient rising of intraocular pressure following argon laser peripheral iridotomy or argon laser trabeculoplasty was evaluated in a prospective, randomised, double-masked study. Forty-two eyes(42 patients) with glaucoma underwent argon laser peripheral iridotomy or argon laser trabeculasty. They were randomised into two groups; the apraclonidine group(twenty-one eyes) receiving 1% apraclonidine hydrochloride, and the control group(twenty-one eyes). The apraclonidine group was treated with one drop of 1% apraclonidine hydrochrolide one hour before and immdiately after laser surgery. We measured intraocular pressure before the operation and hourly for the first three hours after the operation, after one day, and after one week. Elevation of intraocular pressure after laser surgery was found in 13 eyes(61.9%) of the control group and 5 eyes(23.8%) of the apraclonidine group. Elevation greater than 10 mmHg was found in 3 eyes of the control group but none in the apraclonidine group.