A Prospective Study to Analyse the efficacy of Apraclonidine in Preventing Intraocular Pressure Rise After Neodymium: YAG (Nd-YAG) Laser Posterior Capsulotomy

Objective: To analyse the efficacy of (0.5%) apraclonidine in preventing the acute rise of intraocular pressure following Nd-YAG Laser posterior capsulotomy. Material and method: A prospective case controlled randomised study was performed in the department of ophthalmology of SIMS in collaboration of department of pharmacology. Result: A total 52 patients were divided in two groups. Half of the patients were given 0.5% topical apraclonidine 15 minutes before the procedure and immediately after the procedure and after 1 hr, 2hr, and 4hrs respectively. The other half were not given any IOP lowering drug.IOP was measured by tonometry. There was significant fall in IOP in test group patients. IOP in two groups 1hr after procedure was 13.08% rise in control and 6.40% fall in test group. Conclusion: Apraclonidine, a highly selective alpha2 adrenoceptor agonist effectively and safely lowers IOP spikes after laser treatment without causing significant side effects like bradycardia or hypotension.