Long-term epinephrine therapy of ocular hypertension
D. H. Shin, A. E. Kolker, M. A. Kass, M. B. Kaback and B. Becker
Nineteen patients with symmetrical ocular hypertension and symmetrical
cupping of the optic nerves were made asymmetric with respect to
intraocular pressure for one to five years by unilateral topical treatment
with epinephrine hydrochloride. Development of glaucomatous visual field
defects was observed in 32% of the untreated eyes and in none of the
treated eyes (P less than .05). Progressive cupping of the optic nerve was
noted in 53% of the untreated eyes and in 11% of the treated eyes (P less
than .025). Evidence of glaucomatous damage was observed more frequently in
subjects maintained on this regimen for longer periods and in subjects with
initial horizontal cup/disc ratios greater than 0.4 (P less than .05). None
of the eyes, either treated or untreated, with mean intraocular pressures
less than 24 mm Hg developed glaucomatous damage during the period of this
study.
