Dose-response of topical pilocarpine in the normotensive and glaucomatous Beagle.

Single-dose loading with a placebo (isotonic saline solution), and 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 6%, and 8% pilocarpine hydrochloride (pH 7.4) was evaluated in normotensive and glaucomatous Beagle dogs to determine dose response. The seven concentrations of pilocarpine significantly (P less than 0.01) reduced intraocular pressure and pupil size in the normotensive and glaucomatous-treated eyes at most time intervals as compared with baseline (pre-drug) values, untreated fellow eyes, and placebo-treated eyes. There was no significant (P greater than 0.40) contralateral effect on intraocular pressure or pupil size by unilateral pilocarpine administration as compared with base-line values or placebo-treated eyes.