Effects of 0.5% and 0.25% apraclonidine on postoperative intraocular hypertension after cataract extraction.

PURPOSE: We conducted a double-masked, prospective study to evaluate the effect of 0.5% and 0.25% apraclonidine on postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

METHODS

Fifty-four patients scheduled for ECCE were randomly divided into three groups of 18. The first group received one drop of 0.50% apraclonidine topically one hour before surgery and immediately after the end of the procedure. The second group received the same regimen but with 0.25% apraclonidine. The third group received artificial tears as the control group. IOP was measured 12 h preoperatively and 6 and 24 h postoperatively. All the measurements were made using the same Goldmann applanation tonometer by the same surgeon who did not know to which group the patient belonged.

RESULTS

Preoperative mean IOP was 13.66 +/- 2.76 mmHg in the first group, 14.27 +/- 2.24 mmHg in the second and 14.5 +/- 1.34 mmHg in the control group. The differences were not significant (p = 0.398). Mean IOP at the early postoperative visit (6 h) was significantly lower in the first group (17.44 +/- 4.95 mmHg) than the second (21.78 +/- 7.19 mmHg) and the control group (24.55 +/- 5.65 mmHg) (p < 0.001). Mean postoperative IOP at 24 h was again significantly lower in the first group (14.33 +/- 3.75 mmHg) than the second (17.11 +/- 4.16 mmHg) and the control group (19.61 +/- 3.20 mmHg) (p, 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that topical 0.5% apraclonidine controlled early postoperative intraocular hypertension after cataract extraction without any side effects, while the 0.25% drops were not effective.