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Brinzolamide 1% versus apraclonidine 0.5% to prevent intraocular pressure elevation after neodymium:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.

Unal M, Yücel I, Akar Y

Department of Ophthalmology, Akdeniz University Medical Faculty, Antalya, Turkey. drmustafaun@hotmail.com

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of brinzolamide 1% with that of apraclonidine 0.5% in preventing intraocular pressure (IOP) rise after neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey. METHODS: One hundred fifteen patients who had Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy for posterior capsule opacification were prospectively randomized to receive brinzolamide 1% (57 patients) or apraclonidine 0.5% (58 patients) approximately 1 hour before laser surgery. A masked observer measured IOP by Goldmann applanation tonometry before treatment and after treatment at 1, 2, and 3 hours and 7 days. RESULTS: The mean IOP changes from baseline were not statistically different between the study groups at 1, 2, and 3 hours and 7 days (P =.109, P = .764, P =.275, and P =.879, respectively). The incidence of IOP elevation of 5 mm Hg or higher was 12.2% (7 of 57 eyes) in the brinzolamide group and 10.3% (6 of 58 eyes) in the apraclonidine group (P = .743); IOP elevations of 10 mm Hg and greater occurred in 3.5% (2 of 57 eyes) and 1.7% (1 of 58 eyes) (P = .618), respectively. There were no IOP elevations greater than 20 mm Hg in either group. CONCLUSION: Brinzolamide 1% and apraclonidine 0.5% given prophylactically before Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy were effective in preventing IOP spikes after treatment.

Published 25 August 2006 in J Cataract Refract Surg, 32(9): 1499-502.
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