Posters

The neuroprotective role of brimonidine in open-angle glaucoma: 1 year study

Poster Details

First Author: H. Elsaied EGYPT

Co Author(s):    M. Salaheddin                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to assess the neuroprotective role of brimonidine on the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness in Egyptian patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

Setting:

Cairo University Hospitals, Egypt

Methods:

This is a prospective nonrandomized study, carried out on a cohort of 50 eyes of 50 Egyptian patients with medically controlled POAG. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was done at the beginning of the study for baseline values of RNFL and GCC thickness. Then the 50 eyes were followed for 6 months and RNFL and GCC thickness were re-assessed using OCT. Then all of the 50 eyes received brimonidine (Alphagan P 2mg/ml) eye drops twice daily for another 6 months and OCT was repeated.

Results:

Mean baseline RNFL thickness was 100.83±15.09 µ, while mean baseline GCC thickness was 90.19±9.08 µ. After 6 months off brimonidine but on medical treatment, the RNFL thickness dropped significantly (p< 0.001), and so did GCC thickness (p< 0.001). Six months after brimonidine, RNFL and GCC thickness have not changed significantly (p=0.794, p=0.809 successively). Comparing the difference in RNFL (and also GCC) thickness without brimonidine to that following brimonidine was statistically significant (p<0.001 for each). Also, although the drop in intraocular pressure (IOP) after brimonidine was statistically significant (p<0.001), changes in IOP were insignificantly correlated to changes in RNFL and GCC thickness.

Conclusions:

So; brimonidine was effective in reducing the rate of drop in RNFL and GCC thickness in primary open angle glaucoma. It was not the IOP lowering effect of brimonidine that was responsible for better control of RNFL and GCC thickness.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE