Effect of brimonidine 0.5% on intraocular pressure spikes following 360 degrees argon laser trabeculoplasty

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Brimonidine tartrate 0.5%, a topical alpha(2)-adrenergic agonist, was administered before and after argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) to evaluate its efficacy against postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two randomized, double-masked, vehicle-controlled investigations evaluated four treatment regimens in 471 patients undergoing ALT for glaucoma or ocular hypertension, The combined results are presented. RESULTS: IOP elevations greater than or equal to 10 mm Hg occurred in 1% (1/122) of the patients who received brimonidine before and after ALT; in 2% (2/119) of lose receiving brimonidine before and vehicle after; in 1% (1/114) of those receiving vehicle before and brimonidine after; and in 23% (27/116) of those receiving vehicle before and after (P<.001). CONCLUSION: The brimonidine regimens were generally effective and well-tolerated ocularly and systemically.