Pilocarpine medication in open-angle glaucoma. A study using pilocarpine eyedrops and an ocular therapeutic system.

Two modes of topical pilocarpine therapy were applied to sixteen patients with open-angle glaucoma. A pilocarpine drop medication (2% solution four times daily) was compared to a constant and continuous supply of pilocarpine by a therapeutic delivery system (Ocusert P-40). The pressure reducing efficiency was studied in the morning and in the following four hour period of an ordinary drop medication regimen. The results indicate about equal pressure reducing properties in both high and low pre-treatment pressure values. However, compared to pilocarpine drops, we found a statistically significant lower pressure in the morning after the Ocusert unit, especially in glaucomatous eyes with high pre-treatment pressure.