The Effects of 0.5% Apraclonidine on Optic Nerve Head and Peripapillary Retinal Microcirculation

ABSTRACT

To examine the effects of 0.5% apraclonidine on optic nerve head (ONH) and peripapillary microcirculation, scanning laser Doppler flowmetry was performed before and 1 honr, and 3 hours after administration of 0.5% apraclonidine in 10 healthy subjects. In each occasion, 3 scans were obtained. Hemodynamic parmeters (volume, flow, and velocity0 were found at 8 locations, 4 in the neural rim and 4in the peripapillary retina. The intraocular pressure was reduced significantly in apraclonidine-treated eyes by 15.4% (p<.05) at 1 hour and 30.1% (p<.01)at 3 hours after administration. There was no significant change in the volume, flow or velocity of ONH and peripapillary retinal blood flow after apraclonidine administration. In conclusion, single-dose of topical apraclonidine 0.5% in healthy subjects does not have adverse effects on the microcirculation in ONH and peripapillary retina.