Effect of Tetracaine on Intraocular Pressure in Normal and Hypertensive Rabbit Eyes

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of tetracaine on intraocular pressure (IOP) in normal and hypertensive rabbit eyes. METHODS: The study was conducted on 12 healthy rabbits as controls and 6 healthy rabbits in which an experimental model of ocular hypertension (OHT) was induced by administration of 70 mL/kg of tap water through an orogastric tube. One drop of tetracaine was instilled in the left eye while a drop of normal saline (placebo) was applied to the right eye of the control group. IOP was measured before and 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 minutes after drop administration in this group. The OHT group also received one drop of tetracaine and normal saline in the left eyes and right eyes respectively, immediately after water loading; the instillation of drops was repeated after 55 minutes. IOP was measured before and 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 55, 70, 85, 100 and 115 minutes after water loading in this group. RESULTS: Tetracaine treated eyes in both groups (ocular hypertensive and normal controls) demonstrated significant IOP reduction at time zero (immediately after drop instillation) which was sustained up to 20 minutes, as compared to placebo treated eyes (P<0.05). In ocular hypertensive rabbits, repeat instillation of tetracaine significantly reduced IOP at 55 minutes up to 30 minutes thereafter. CONCLUSION: Topical tetracaine can reduce IOP; this fact should be considered in experiments evaluating IOP reducing agents.