Purpose:
The aim of the present preliminary study, performed on post-surgical hypotony, was the evaluation of the effects on ocular hypotony of the concomitant administration of ibopamine and corticosteroids.
Methods:
14 patients (11 males-3 females; mean age 47 years) with ocular hypotony following several vitroretinal surgical intervention in different districts, were enrolled. the inclusion criteria were: mean iop during tonometric curve equal or lower than 6 mmhg, stable iop for at least 60 days, ongoing treatment with 0.1% dexamethasone (4 times/day), successful surgical intervention, 2% ibopamine (4 times/day) was added to the corticosteroid therapy for 30-60 days.
Results:
Before ibopamine administration, mean iop was 4.07 mmhg sd 1.71. at the end of the treatment period, mean iop increased by 89% in comparison to baseline values (+ 3.64 mmhg sd 5.57). this difference was statistically significant (paired t = 2.39; p = 0.03). one month after ibopamine-treatment discontinuation, mean iop decreased to pre-treatment values (4.86 mmhg sd 3.50).
Conclusions:
The results of the present study, although preliminary, suggest the possibility of a future pharmacological treatment of ocular hypotony with ibopamine, whose rationale is based on the increase of aqueous humor production by stimulating the d1 dopaminergic receptor.