Brimonidine versus dapiprazole: Influence on pupil size at various illumination levels

• Published in: Journal of cataract and refractive surgery Vol. 31; no. 7; pp. 1372 - 1376
• Main Authors: Marx-Gross, Susanne, Krummenauer, Frank, Dick, H. Burkhard, Pfeiffer, Norbert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.07.2005; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adrenergic alpha-Agonists - administration & dosage; Adrenergic alpha-Agonists - pharmacology; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists - administration & dosage; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Brimonidine Tartrate; Dark Adaptation; Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; Humans; Light; Medical sciences; Ophthalmic Solutions - administration & dosage; Ophthalmic Solutions - pharmacology; Piperazines; Prospective Studies; Pupil - drug effects; Quinoxalines - administration & dosage; Quinoxalines - pharmacology; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the eye and orbit; Triazoles - administration & dosage; Triazoles - pharmacology; α2-Adrenergic receptor; Antiglaucomatous agent; Imidazole derivatives; Quinoxaline derivatives; Agonist; Dapiprazole; Size; α1-Adrenergic receptor; Brimonidine; Myotic; Pupil; Alpha blocking agent; Treatment; Surgery; Illumination; Influence; α-Adrenergic receptor agonist; Antagonist; Ophthalmology; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0886-3350; 1873-4502
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2004.12.064

To evaluate the influence of dapiprazole versus brimonidine on pupil size at various illumination levels. Department of Ophthalmology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany. In randomized prospective study, 19 healthy volunteers received 2 ophthalmic solutions, dapiprazole and brimonidine, 1 in each eye, for intraindividual comparison. Before and after application, pupil diameter was measured using an infrared binocular pupillometer at 3 illumination levels (0.03, 0.82, and 6.4 lux). Only slight pupil dilation was observed under scotopic conditions after application of both agents. After 20 minutes, the median reduction in pupil width was 1.4 mm for brimonidine and 0.9 mm for dapiprazole. These effects were statistically significant for both agents (both P<.001). The maximum effect was observed after 40 minutes and remained stable through the next measurement at 180 minutes. Under mesopic lighting conditions, only a slight effect (<1 mm) was seen. Pupil mydriasis at scotopic illumination levels was reduced by both drugs in a similar fashion. Because of the slightly stronger effect of brimonidine, application of this agent 20 minutes before activities in dimly lit areas or at night may be recommended for photic phenomena following refractive surgery.