Effects of aminoproprionitrile on glaucoma filter blebs in rabbits.

Aminoproprionitrile was used topically in rabbits for 4 weeks following glaucoma filtration surgery in an attempt to prevent loss of the filter bleb from scarring. At 2 and 4 weeks after surgery, the outflow facility in eyes receiving aminoproprionitrile was greater than in the fellow eyes which served as controls (p less than 0.002 at 2 weeks and p less than 0.015 at 4 weeks). By 8 weeks after surgery, there was no difference in the outflow facility of the eyes in each animal. No increase in postoperative complications was attributed to aminoproprionitrile. These results suggest that aminoproprionitrile, which interferes with collagen cross-linking, may promote filter bleb formation.