The effect of hypotensive drugs on the intraocular pressure after waterloading in rabbits.

The waterloading test in rabbits, using 100 ml of waterloads per kg body weight, without general anaesthesia and with applanation tonometry to measure intraocular pressure (IOP), deserves a place in glaucoma research. Using this model we found adrenaline not to have an effect on the IOP with or without waterloading. Isoprenaline and to a lesser physostigmine reduced the pressure in the normal eye markedly, but these drugs did not have any effect on the pressure after waterloading. delta 9-THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and pilocarpine increased the IOP in the normal rabbit eye. After waterloading delta 9-THC decreased the pressure, but its value was still significantly higher than the control pressure. Pilocarpine did not reduce the pressure after waterloading. Acetazolamide and timolol did not reduce the pressure in the normal eye, but after waterloading a significant reduction was observed.