SHORT-TERM EFFECT OF APRACLONIDINE ON INTRAOCULAR-PRESSURE IN GLAUCOMA PATIENTS RECEIVING TIMOLOL AND PILOCARPINE

A placebo-controlled, prospective study was undertaken to determine wh ether apraclonidine has an additive effect in eyes treated with timolo l and pilocarpine. Twelve patients with primary open-angle glaucoma wh ile on continuing therapy with timolol 0.5% twice daily and pilocarpin e 4% four times a day in both eyes for 3 months were included in the s tudy. A single drop of apraclonidine 1% or placebo was added to treatm ent with timolol and pilocarpine. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measu red on both days before a single drop of test medications in both eyes as well as 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 h later. The fall in IOP with apraclonid ine was significantly greater than with placebo at all time intervals (p <0.05). This study suggests that apraclonidine provides an additive IOP-lowering effect to timolol and pilocarpine for at least 12 h afte r single-drop applications.