• John M Katsimpris, Dimitrios Siganos, Anastasios G P Konstas, PhD, Vassilios Kozobolis, and Nikolaos Georgiadis.
• Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital Agios Andreas, Alexandroupoli, Greece. jkatsimpris@yahoo.com
• J Cataract Refract Surg. 2003 Dec 1; 29 (12): 2288-94.

PurposeTo determine the efficacy of brimonidine tartrate 0.2% drops given 2 times a day in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes during the first 24 hours after phacoemulsification cataract surgery.SettingDepartment of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Patras Agios Andreas, Patras, Greece.MethodsIn this prospective double-blind placebo-controlled study, 1 eye of 40 consecutive normotensive cataract patients having small-incision cataract surgery was randomized into 1 of 2 treatment arms. Twenty patients received a placebo (artificial tears) and 20 patients received brimonidine tartrate 0.2% drops 2 times a day the day before and the day of surgery. Diurnal IOP variation was the primary efficacy variable; IOP was measured at baseline, before surgery, and 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively.ResultsThe placebo group had higher IOPs at every time point after surgery. Peak elevation of IOP occurred 6 hours after surgery. The mean IOP in the placebo group (27.71 mm Hg +/- 3.75 [SD]) was statistically significantly higher than in the brimonidine group (21.45 +/- 1.32 mm Hg) (P<.001). A major IOP rise (>/=20 mm Hg above baseline IOP) occurred in 1 patient (5%) in the placebo group who required emergency hypotensive therapy. Twenty-four hours after surgery, 11 eyes (55%) in the brimonidine group and 4 eyes (20%) in the placebo group had an IOP lower than baseline.ConclusionProphylactic treatment with brimonidine tartrate 0.2% 2 times a day for 2 days was effective in reducing IOP peaks throughout the first 24 hours after phacoemulsification surgery.

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