Brimonidine and postoperative pressure spikes in cataract surgery.

Author(s): Whitehouse G

Affiliation(s): Forster Eye Surgery, NSW, Australia.

Publication date & source: 2000-10, Clin Experiment Ophthalmol., 28(5):364-6.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of brimonidine in controlling postoperative pressure spikes following clear corneal cataract outpatient day surgery, in private practice in Australia. METHODS: A prospective randomized trial was performed on 123 patients. Brimonidine 0.2% was instilled in the eyes 15 min prior to surgery, and intraocular pressure was checked 6 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean postoperative intraocular pressures at 6 hours were 30.33 mmHg in the treated group and 30.76 mmHg in the control group. CONCLUSION: Brimonidine 0.2% instilled preoperatively offered no significant reduction in postoperative intraocular pressure spikes.