Purpose: To compare the efficacy of 0.005% latanoprost and 1% apraclonidine in the prevention of an increase of intraocular pressure (IOP) after Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy in nonglaucomatous patients. Methods: Thirty-six patients were included and divided in to three groups. Patients received 0.005% latanoprost. 1% apraclonidine or placebo. Four measurements of IOP were made: before instillation of any drug, 30 minutes after cycloplegia, 1 hour and 4 hours after laser. Results: No significant difference was found between the three groups regarding age, initial intraocular pressure, pressure 30 minutes after cycloplegia and amount of laser energy used. In the apraclonidine group, at the first hour after laser, both the absolute and percentual intraocular pressure changes, were statistically lower than those of the control group (p<0.05). The latanoprost group had was not significantly different from the other groups (p>0.05). The IOP of the 3 groups was statistically similar at the fourth hour after the laser (p>0.05). There were no differences in the measurements of intraocular pressure between the four intervals. The amount of laser energy used during the procedure had no correlation with IOP rise (p>0.05). Conclusion: The authors conclude that 1% apraclonidine is more effective to control the IOP rise after YAG laser capsu-lotomy when compared to 0.005% latanoprost .
Glaucoma; capsulotomy; ocular hipertension; apraclonidine; latanoprost prevention
