THE EFFECT OF THE ORALLY-ADMINISTERED ACE-INHIBITOR CILAZAPRIL ON INTRAOCULAR-PRESSURE IN ARTERIALLY HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

This study evaluated whether cilazapril, an angiotensin-converting enz yme (ACE) inhibitor, when given orally to hypertensive patients, affec ts intraocular pressure (IOP). Eleven arterially hypertensive patients were included. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured before treatme nt (baseline), at 8 AM, 10 AM, and noon. On days 1 and 28 of treatment with cilazapril, 2.5 mg, given orally, the IOP was again measured at the same times of the day. The investigation was designed as an open s tudy, but the IOP was measured with the Goldmann applanation tonometer in a way in which the observer was masked. The ACE-inhibitor cilazapr il showed a significant IOP-lowering effect 2 and 4 hours (13% reducti on at noon) postdose. This effect was also noted after 28 days of trea tment. These results suggest that ACE inhibitors such as cilazapril co uld be of interest for use as IOP-lowering agents and perhaps provide an additional pharmacologic principle in the treatment of glaucoma.