EFFECTS ON INTRAOCULAR-PRESSURE AND PUPIL SIZE IN GLAUCOMATOUS BEAGLES AFTER TOPICAL PILOCARPINE INSTILLED WITH STANDARD (PH-5) AND BUFFER-TIP (PH-7) DROPTAINERS

Single doses (50 mu l) of 1% and 2% pilocarpine, instilled by a buffer -tip droptainer resulting in an approximate pH 7.0 solution, and 1, 2, and 4% pilocarpine, instilled by the standard droptainer, resulting a pH 5.0 solution, were evaluated in the glaucomatous Beagle model. Pup il size and intraocular pressure measurements were performed at 0, 1/4 , 1/2, 3/4, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours. Signs of topical irritation (blep harospasm, conjunctival hyperemia and chemosis, and any corneal change s) were also monitored. Both solutions produced similar onset and dura tion of miosis and ocular hypotension, but the pH 5.0 solutions produc ed a brief elevation in intraocular pressure during the first hour pos t-drug instillation. Moderate blepharospasm, conjunctival hyperemia, a nd chemosis occurred with only the pilocarpine solutions with pH 5.0.