[Vascular effects of adrenergic drugs and their action on intraocular pressure (author's transl)].

By means of the continuous contemporary recording of arterial blood pressure and intraocular pressure, the relationship between the two parameters was analyzed following the intravenous administration of adrenergic drugs. The aim was that of determining if during a change in systemic blood pressure the behaviour of intraocular pressure may indicate an active or passive participation to such a change. In the present studies the most important representatives of the different adrenergic groups (adrenalin, dibenamin, ergotamin, propranolol and isoproterenol) were taken in consideration. The results in normal eyes and in eyes with experimental hypertension showed that the adrenergic drugs affect the intraocular presure through a primary vasomotorial effect. An active vasodilatation of the intraocular vessels could not be demonstrated, whereas an active (adrenalin, ergotamin) as well as a passive (propranolol, isoproterenol) vasoconstriction was evidenced. The present studies allow an interpretation of the ocular hypotonizing mechanism of action of adrenergic drugs.