[On the possibility of reducing systemic side-effects of isoproterenol eyedrops by means of topical propranolol (author's transl)].

Topical administration of Isoproterenol reduces the intraocular pressure in glaucomatous eyes, but produces systemic side-effects (tachycardia arterial hypotension) that make its clinical use unadvisable. Such side-effects are significant when the concentration of Isoproterenol is 4 and 5%. Pre-treatment of the contralateral eye with a solution of Propranolol 1%, 30 and 60 min. before Isoproterenol instillation, markedly reduces systemic side-effects, without diminishing the ocular hypotensive effectiveness.