Short-term effects of antiglaucomatous topical medication on the ocular surface in Wistar rats

TL;DR

This study examines the short-term effects of glaucoma eye drops on rat eyes, finding that the number of drops may matter more than preservatives.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel focus on the impact of drop frequency over preservative content in glaucoma medications.

Findings

The number of drops per day may significantly influence outcomes more than preservatives.

Topical glaucoma medications can cause ocular surface side effects in rats.

A 21-day monitoring period revealed preliminary insights into short-term treatment effects.

Abstract

Topical treatment remains the first-line therapeutic approach for glaucoma, primarily aimed at reducing intraocular pressure (IOP), which is currently the only modifiable risk factor for the disease. However, while topical medications are effective in lowering IOP, they are also associated with a range of adverse effects.

This study evaluated the short-term side effects of various topical glaucoma medications in Wistar rats with experimentally induced intraocular hypertension. A glaucoma model was established using saline solution and viscoelastic pre-filled syringes, followed by the application of different topical anti-glaucomatous agents to assess both efficacy and potential side effects. Five groups of Wistar rats were utilized: four groups received other treatments, while the fifth group served as a control, with no therapy administered. The rats were monitored for 21 days following the induction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and the commencement of treatment.

Preliminary results suggested that the number of drops administered per day might have a more significant impact on the outcomes than the presence or absence of preservatives in the eye drops.

Figures