The effect of isosorbide-mononitrate eye drops on the human intraocular pressure and aqueous humor dynamics.

In a randomized, double-masked, single drop study the effect of topical isosorbid-mononitrate (ISMO) 0.5% eye drops, the main metabolite of isosorbid-dinitrate, widely used in the treatment of coronary heart diseases, was studied in patients suffering from open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. There was no statistically significant IOP change within 8 hours posttreatment after topical administration of ISMO 0.5%. There were no side effects after application of the ophthalmic solution of ISMO 0.5%. There were no significant changes in blood pressure and pulse rate either. A 2% ophthalmic solution of ISMO was investigated with respect to a response on the aqueous humor dynamics in 10 healthy volunteers. Anterior chamber fluorophotometry revealed a mean increase in aqueous flow of 39% within 3 hours after topical application (P less than 0.01). However, in comparison to the placebo treated fellow eyes there were no statistical significant difference in aqueous humor flow during the time of investigation. There was a statistical significant reduction of IOP during the same time period (p less than 0.03) in all treated eyes.