Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of 4% pilocarpine gel(PG) and 1% pilocarpine solution(PS).
Methods: Twenty cases(40 eyes) with ocular hypertension or primary open angle glaucoma(POAG) in early stage were treated by 4% PG(once per night) and PS(4 times per day). We compared the side-effects and the changes in the intraocular pressure (IOP), pupil size and diopter of 2 groups after medication. Self-control was chosen.
Results: The effect of 4% PG on IOP can last 20 hours. The IOP decreasing range of the PG group was from 9.3% to 13.8%, while the PS group was from 12.4% to 16.2%. The decreasing range at 10 AM for four weeks of the PG group was from 11.3% to 17.6% while the PS group was from 17.4% to 19.7%. There is no statistically significant difference between two groups. There are more obvious changes in the pupil size and diopter in the PS group and less complain of blurred vision in the PG group.
Conclusion: The IOP decreasing effect of 4% PG is comparable with that of 1% PS, but the 4% PG is better than 1% PS as concerning the patient compliance and the side effects. So the 4% PG can be used as a substitute for the 1% PS in the clinic.