Use of topical brimonidine to prevent intraocular pressure elevations following Nd : YAG-laser posterior capsulotomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of topical brimonidine t artrate 0.2% (Allergan, Irvine, CA) in the prophylactic treatment of acute intraocular pressure (IOP) rises following Nd:YAG laser posterior capsuloto my. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a double-masked, randomized, placebo-control led clinical study in 60 patients who underwent Nd:YAG laser posterior caps ulotomy after extracapsular cataract extraction, Two doses of brimonidine o r vehicle were administered before and after capsulotomy. Intraocular press ure was measured prior to commencing instillation and for 48 hours postoper atively. RESULTS: Following posterior capsulotomy, the brimonidine group showed a si gnificant mean percent reduction in IOP, while the vehicle group showed a s ignificant mean percent increase in IOP. At 48 hours, mean IOP of both grou ps had returned to pre-laser level. There were no differences between the 2 groups in the incidence of clinical adverse experiences. CONCLUSION: Two-dose brimonidine tartrate 0.2% effectively prevents acute I OP rises after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.