EFFECTS OF TOPICALLY APPLIED PROSTAGLANDIN-F2-ALPHA ON NORMOTENSIVE HUMAN EYES

The ocular effects of topical prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) were studied in normotensive human eyes. PGF2 alpha as tromethamine salt, 100 mu g, was applied to one eye of 23 normotensive subjects, intraocu lar pressure (IOP) and pupil size were measured, objective and subject ive findings recorded during the first 24 h. Tonography was performed in 10 subjects. As compared with the baseline, PGF2 alpha caused a sig nificant IOP reduction between 1 and 24 h (p < 0.001), being maximal ( 4.9 +/- 0.5 mm Hg, mean +/- SEM, p < 0.001) between 4 and 8 h. As comp ared with the contralateral control eyes, which received 50 mu l of sa line, treated eyes exhibited significant IOP reduction between 1 and 2 4 h (p < 0.001), being maximal (4.2 +/- 0.4 mm Hg, mean +/- SEM, p < 0 .001) at 4 h. PGF2 alpha caused marked conjunctival hyperemia in all e yes. Pupillary diameter was not altered. Aqueous flare and cellular re sponse were not seen. Half of the subjects complained of ocular smarti ng, mild ocular pain or headache. Total outflow facility did not chang e (p > 0.05).