[Effect of pilocarpine and cycloplegic substances on ophthalmic tone in healthy eyes and ones with glaucoma].

The study was carried out on the eyes of patients (aged 20-75 eyes) without glaucoma and with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). A single instillation of 1 or 2% pilocarpin hydrochloride did not lead to a decrease of intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eyes without glaucoma. IOP fluctuations after pilocarpin instillations were accidental and as a rule were observed both in the treated and control eyes. Instillations of the same pilocarpin solutions significantly decreased IOP in the eyes with OAG in the majority of cases (in 76% in our study), which is apparently due to removal or decrease of the canalicular block. The results of relieving tonometric pilocarpin test should be taken account of in early diagnosis of glaucoma, but the diagnostic parameters of the test should be determined more precisely. After instillation of short-acting cycloplegic drugs (1% homatropin and 0.5% tropicamide) IOP did not change either in normal or POAG eyes. These drugs are recommended for dilatation of the pupil for ophthalmoscopy in patients with anterior chamber open angle glaucoma.