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Abstract #15502 Published in IGR 1-3
0.1% Changes in retinal blood flow after application of topical dipivefrine 0.1%
Groh MJM; Michelson G; Harazny J; Groh M; Koschinsky KOphthalmologe 1999; 96: 706-710
PURPOSE: Most antiglaucomatous drugs affect ocular blood flow. Blood flow of the anterior uvea under the effect of glaucoma medication has been described in the literature, but measurement of microcirculation at the posterior pole correlated to glaucoma medication is rarely found. The authors present a placebo-controlled study in which they focused on the short- and long-term effects of topical dipivefrine 0.1% on the microcirculation of the retina and optic nerve head. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a randomized, placebo-controlled double-masked study, the authors examined 40 healthy persons (21 males and 19 females) with a mean age of 35±4.6 years. Two groups of volunteers (n=20) were treated either with placebo or dipivefrine 0.1% twice daily for five days. Measurement of microcirculation was carried out at baseline, 30 minutes after the first application and on days 3 and 5. Microcirculation was evaluated by scanning laser Doppler flowmetry (SLDF, Heidelberg Engineering; Heidelberg), retinal and optic nerve head capillary blood flow (ONH). Systemic parameters were checked at the times of blood flow measurement (blood pressure, pulse); intraocular pressure (IOP) was also measured at baseline, 30 minutes after, and on days 3 and 5. RESULTS: Systemic parameters: no serum medications affected blood pressure or pulse; dipivefrine 0.1% lowered the IOP significantly (p=0.01). Microcirculation: dipivefrine 0.1% leads to a significant reduction of retinal capillary blood flow (p=0.01). ONH blood flow was not significantly affected by dipivefrine 0.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Retinal capillary perfusion is affected by dipivefrine 0.1% medication. In neuroprotection, it is of interest that glaucoma medication did not alter the microcirculation in a way that leads to an increase of hypoxemia. Therefore, the authors consider dipivefrine 0.1% not to be useful for long-term glaucoma treatment.
Dr. M.J.M. Groh, Universitäts-Augenklinik, Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen; Germany
Classification:
11.3.1 Epinephrine (Part of: 11 Medical treatment > 11.3 Adrenergic drugs)
