CLINICAL-EXPERIENCE WITH APRACLONIDINE 0.5-PERCENT

Purpose: This study describes our long-term experience with apraclonid ine 0.5% in the treatment of chronic glaucoma in clinical practice. Me thods: A retrospective review was performed of all consecutive patient s treated with apraclonidine 0.5%, specifically studying the magnitude of IOP reduction, incidence of allergic reaction, frequency of ineffe ctiveness, and its additivity to other anti-glaucoma medications. Pati ents previously treated with this agent or in wham multiple simultaneo us medication changes were made were excluded. Results: A total of 174 patients were included in this study and followed up to 24 months. Fo r 38 patients (21%), the drug was found to be ineffective at some poin t during the study. A similar number of patients developed an allergic reaction to the medication. Intraocular pressure lowering ranged from 19 to 26% overall, and 22.5 to 29% in those responding to apraclonidi ne 0.5%. Conclusions: In this study, apraclonidine 0.5% was shown to b e effective in reducing intraocular pressure, both for short-term situ ations and for longer periods of treatment, up to 24 months.