The effect of H1-blocking antihistamines on intraocular pressure in rabbits.

H1-blocking antihistamines were administered topically to rabbits to determine their effects on intraocular pressure. Chlorcyclizine which is in the piperazine class of H1-inhibitors was found to elevate intraocular pressure. This effect was prevented by the systemic administration of indomethacin and is probably a prostaglandin induced change. Of the other agents tested, antazoline which is in the ethylenediamine class, was the only drug found to lower intraocular pressure. The antazoline-induced lowering of intraocular pressure was associated with no changes in outflow facility, episcleral venous pressure, systemic blood pressure, or ocular blood flow. Tonographic and aqueous humor ascorbate humor ascorbate data suggested a decreased (41% and 33% respectively) rate of aqueous flow as the mechanism for the decrease in intraocular pressure. The systemic administration of the alpha-adrenergic blocker phentolamine prevented the decrease in intraocular pressure but systemically administered blockers of cholinergic (atropine) or beta-adrenergic (propranolol) activity had no effect.