The Role of Brimonidine Eye Drops as an Adjunctive Therapy for Optic Nerve Protection in Patients with Controlled Open Angle Glaucoma

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the neuroprotective role of brimonidine eye drops in patients with controlled open angle glaucoma. Methods: This study is prospective and non-randomized. It was done between January,2014 and April, 2016. It included 33 eyes with controlled open angle glaucoma who were referred to Al Zahraa University Hospital. Brimonidine eye drops (BMD) were administrated. Follow up was done every 6 months for 12 months and three visual field (VFs) examinations were done to all patients using Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer II 745.Results: There is a gradual decline of IOP mean values from 15.3 ± 3.6 mmHg baseline to 13.5 ± 3.0 mmHg after 6 months and to 11.7±2.1 mmHg after one year of the use of BMD eye drops. The mean values of MD measurements showed improvement after BMD eye drops useas it becomes lower than baseline values after 6 months (-7.2 ± 5.2 vs -5.1 ± 3.7 respectively), with further improvement after one year of BMD eye drops use as it becomes lower than that after 6 months (-5.1 ± 3.7 vs -3.3 ± 3.6 respectively). Similarly, PSD measurements after 6 months (4.6 ± 3.1 vs 4.0 ± 3.1). Furthermore, measurement after one year of BMD eye drops use show more improvement as it becomes lower than measurements after 6 months (4.0 ± 3.1 vs 3.4 ± 4.4). Conclusion: Neuroprotection can be used to reduce the risk of glaucomatous progression independent of its effects on IOPas the future treatment modality.