J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2008 Oct;49(10):1649-1657.

The Antimydriatic Effect of Brimonidine 0.15% on the Dark-adapted Pupil in Dark Brown Irides

• Rho SS
• Yang HS
• Lew HM
• Ahn JH

Abstract

PURPOSE
To analyze the effect of the daily use of brimonidine tartrate 0.15% on the dark-adapted pupil diameter in dark brown irides.
METHODS
Twenty-five healthy volunteers administered brimonidine tartrate 0.15% to their right eyes once daily for 3 weeks. Infrared digital photographs of the pupil were taken before administration and 1 hour and 4 hours after administration after dark adaptation (at <0.1 lux ambient illumination for 5 minutes). The diameters of both pupils were measured on the first day, on administration days 7 and 21, and on washout day 7.
RESULTS
Four hours after the first administration, pupils showed a decrease of 0.95+/-0.74 mm, 1.03+/-0.94 mm, 0.61+/-0.85 mm on the first day, administration day 7, and administration day 21, respectively (p<0.01), compared with baseline data. The anti-mydriatic effect of brimonidine was sustained for 3 weeks, but the proportions of the eyes showing a reduction in pupil diameter by 0.5 mm or more were 84%, 76%, 68%, and 52% at 4 hours on the first day, administration days 7 and 21, and washout day 7, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The anti-mydriatic effect of the daily use of brimonidine 0.15% on dark brown irides in a scotopic condition is maintained during the instillation period but has a tendency to fade over time. This point should be considered when using this compound as a miotic agent.

Keyword

Anti-mydriatic effect; Brimonidine tartrate 0.15%; Brown iris; Dark-adapted pupil

MeSH Terms

Dark Adaptation
Eye
Lighting
Pupil
Quinoxalines
Brimonidine Tartrate
Quinoxalines

Figure

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  Figure 1. The effect of brimonidine tartrate 0.15% on the pupil size under scotopic condition. Infrared digital photography was taken under scotopic condition (less than 0.1 lux) before (left column) and 1 hour and 4 hour (right column) after instillation of brimonidine on start day, administration days 7, 21, and washout day 7. The pupil diameter was decreased after instillation of brimonidine compared to before adminstration on each day. The pre-administration diameter of pupil on administration days 7 (6.33±0.73 mm) and 21 (6.18±1.07 mm) was also decreased compared to the baseline pupil diameter of start day(6.66±0.92mm). Note that the pre-administration diameter of pupil on washout day 7 was increased when compared to the baseline of start day.

Reference

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