Effect of Diltiazem on Intraocular Pressure in Normal and Ocular Hypertensive Rabbits

Abstract

Background; Glaucoma is a multifactorial disease involving progressive optic neuropathy and altered intraocular hemodynamics; furthermore, glaucoma can cause blindness if it is left untreated.
Aim of the study: To explore effects of topical diltiazem on intraocular pressure (IOP) in each of normal and ocular hypertensive rabbits.
Materials and methods: A group of 54 males of the rabbits were included in the present study. Induction of ocular hypertension was achieved by injection of hydroxy propyl methylcellulose in the anterior chamber of rabbits right eye. In addition to distilled water (as negative control), each of timolol (as positive control) and diltiazem (the tested drug) eye drops were instilled 3 times daily to right eye prophylactically for 4 days and therapeutically
Results: Part Ι: Diltiazem (0.5%) caused highly significant (P < 0.01) reduction in intraocular pressure of right eye . Part ΙΙ: diltiazem, at both concentrations (0.5% and 0.25%) caused highly significant reduction (P < 0.01) in IOP at 5th and 10th days post treatment.
Conclusions: Diltiazem exerted a detectable ocular hypotensive effect on the eye of rabbits when applied at concentration (0.5%) or (0.25%) 3 times daily.