Brimonidine 0.2% versus brimonidine Purite 0.15%: prophylactic effect on iop elevation after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the prophylactic effect of brimonidine 0.2% versus brimonidine Purite 0.15% on intraocular pressure (IOP) increase after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.

Methods: In this prospective, double-masked, randomized, controlled study, 106 patients (106 eyes) who underwent Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy were allocated to a brimonidine 0.2% group (35 eyes), a brimonidine Purite 0.15% group (36 eyes), or a vehicle group (35 eyes). One (1) drop of brimonidine 0.2%, brimonidine Purite 0.15%, or vehicle was instilled 1 h preoperatively and 1 drop immediately after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. IOPs were measured preoperatively and at 1, 2, 3, and 24 h postoperatively.

Results: Decreases in IOP from baseline ranged from 2.3 to 2.7 mmHg in the brimonidine 0.2% group and 2.2-2.5 mmHg in the brimonidine Purite 0.15% group (P < 0.05), whereas the vehicle group exhibited a rise in IOP. IOP elevations of less than 5 mmHg occurred in 22.9% of patients in the brimonidine 0.2% group, 27.8% in the brimonidine Purite 0.15% group, and 48.6% in the vehicle group. Spikes of IOP greater than 10 mmHg occurred in 2.9% of patients in the brimonidine 0.2% group, 2.8% in the brimonidine Purite 0.15% group, and 8.6% in the vehicle group. The incidence of IOP elevation was not statistically significant between the brimonidine 0.2% and the brimonidine Purite 0.15% groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Brimonidine 0.2% and brimonidine Purite 0.15% have similar efficacy in the prevention of IOP elevation after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.