A study to evaluate the effect of Ripasudil on the intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma

• Author Details:   
• Sugandhi Gauri
• Gagandeep Kaur ^*
• Neha Sethi
• Charu Chadha
• Amit Jain
• NR Gupta
• Twinkle Gupta

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Background: Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy characterized by a progressive pattern of damage to the optic nerve and retinal nerve ?ber layer (RNFL). The primary treatment modality is the drugs that either promote drainage of aqueous or reduce its production. A new class of drug, Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor has been introduced with a unique mechanism that promotes the conventional uveo-trabecular outflow of aqueous. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the Intraocular Pressure (IOP) lowering effect of Ripasudil and to study its safety profile.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of Ripasudil in lowering the intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucomas and to study the safety profile of Ripasudil.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 200 eyes of 200 patients. Ripasudil 0.4% twice a day was added to the ongoing treatment and IOP was recorded at follow-up visits.

Results: The mean reduction of IOP from baseline in our study was 1.79 (±0.96) mm Hg at 1 month, 3.36 (±1.35) mm Hg at 3 months, 4.96 (±1.62) mm Hg at 6 months and the mean number of drug used were 1.61 (±0.76). The reduction was statistically significant (p-value <0>

Conclusion: The use of Ripasudil is both safe and efficacious as an add-on therapy in open-angle glaucoma patients. The reduction in the primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), uveitic glaucoma (UG) and steroid- induced glaucoma (SG) groups is similar and larger than those of the pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PxfG) group. Most common adverse effect is conjunctival hyperemia followed by irritation and blepharitis.

Keywords: Glaucoma, Ripasudil, Rho kinase inhibitors, Anti-glaucoma drugs.