Purpose: To evaluate the efficiency and reliability of alpha-tocopherol in an experimental model of glaucoma filtering surgery.
Methods: Thirty pigmented rabbits were randomly divided into three study groups. Twenty-four hours before surgery, the animals were injected subconjunctivally with 0.5 ml of solution that depended on the group of treatment: group I (n = 10), 0.75% ethanol in balanced saline solution (BSS); group II (n = 10), 100 mg alpha-tocopherol acetate (ATA) in 0.75% ethanol in BSS; group III (n = 10), 100 mg alpha-tocopherol acid succinate (ATS) in 0.75% ethanol in BSS. The animals were followed during 30 days (intraocular pressure, IOP; filtering surgery; inflammatory reaction).
Results: IOPs were significantly lower in the treatment groups (ATA and ATS) than in the control group from days 7 and 10, respectively, till the end of the study. On day 7, the mean IOP in the ATA group was 15.8 versus 22.1 mm Hg in the control group. On day 10, the mean IOP in the ATS group was 15 versus 22.78 mm Hg in the control group. Filtering blebs showed statistically significant differences between the control and treated groups from day 5 to day 16.
Conclusions: alpha-Tocopherol (ATA and ATS) showed better IOP control and bleb survival in this experimental model of filtering surgery.