Effects of 0.5% and 0.25% apraclonidine on postoperative intraocular hypertension after cataract extraction

Purpose. We conducted a double-masked, prospective study to evaluate the ef fect of 0.5% and 0.25% apraclonidine on postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Methods. Fifty-four patients scheduled for ECCE were randomly divided into three groups of 18. The first group received one drop of 0.50% apraclonidin e topically one hour before surgery and immediately after the end of the pr ocedure. The second group received the same regimen but with 0.25% apraclon idine. The third group received artificial fears as the control group. IOP was measured 12 h preoperatively and 6 and 24 h postoperatively. All the me asurements were made using the same Goldmann applanation tonometer by the s ame surgeon who did not know to which group the patient belonged. Results. Preoperative mean IOP was 13.66 +/- 2.76 mmHg in the first group, 14.27 +/- 2.24 mmHg in the second and 14.5 +/- 1.34 mmHg in the control gro up. The differences were not significant (p = 0.398). Mean IOP at the early postoperative visit (6 h) was significantly lower in the first group (17.44 +/- 4.95 mmHg) than the second (21.78 +/- 7.19 mmHg) and the control group (24.55 +/- 5.65 mmHg) (p < 0.001). Mean postoperativ e IOP at 24 h was again significantly lower in the first group (14.33 +/- 3 .75 mmHg) than the second (17.11 +/- 14.16 mmHg) and the control group (19. 61 +/- 3.20 mmHg) (p < 0.001). Conclusions. Our findings indicate that topical 0.5% apraclonidine controll ed early postoperative intraocular hypertension after cataract extraction w ithout any side effects, while the 0.25% drops were not effective.