[Are metipranolol eyedrops responsible for intraocular side effects?].

Metipranolol is a beta-blocker that has been used in ophthalmology and in systemic therapy for about 10 years. Reports about reversible uveitis under the product Glauline (metipranolol-containing eye drops) in England were the reason for extensive studies with metipranolol-containing eye drops produced with different methods. Analytical studies concerning the influence of irradiation sterilization on the drug containers, studies on the toxicity of the ophthalmic drug on tissue cultures, and prospective and retrospective clinical studies on 2,800 glaucoma patients were performed. Irradiation sterilization leads to the formation of free radicals on the surface of the containers and, depending on the radiation dose, to a decrease in the pH of the drug solution. In prospective studies involving 1,516 glaucoma patients, no intraocular side effects due to metipranolol-containing eye drops were found. In the retrospective examination including 1,306 glaucoma patients, 19 cases of uveitis were found. Thirteen cases of recurring iritis were diagnosed, which had already been observed before the onset of glaucoma therapy. In 2 cases the iritis led to secondary glaucoma and was treated with metipranolol. In 2 cases glaucoma was treated with pilocarpine (and dipivefrin) and metipranolol concomitantly. One case of rubeosis iridis was incorrectly classified as iritis. One case is possibly related to metipranolol despite the assessment to the contrary by the ophthalmologist in question. Following the results of these studies, an accumulation of cases of uveitis caused by metipranolol can be excluded.