Assessment of Effect and Safety of Ripasudil (0.4%) in patients of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma / Ocular Hypertension

Background: The aim is to evaluate the intraocular pressure-lowering efficacy and tolerability of Ripasudil (0.4%) ophthalmic solution in patients of primary open-angle glaucoma/ocular hypertension.Material & Methods:In this prospective, interventional, single-arm, open-label study, 50 patients of POAG/ocular hypertension attending the Outpatient Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College, Patiala were included.Results:Mean value of numerical change in IOP at four weeks, at eight weeks, at twelve weeks in IOP were 3.61 ± 2.05, 3.98 ± 1.47, 4.44 ± 1.53 respectively. Among side effects, conjunctival hyperemia, blepharitis, and allergic conjunctivitis were reported among 62%, 10%, and 8% of the subjects at four weeks. Final results after 12 weeks showed that only conjunctival hyperemia was reported as a side effect among 16% of the subjects. Conclusions:Our present study showed significant IOP-lowering effects and safety of ripasudil (0.4%) over 12 weeks in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma/ocular hypertension. For the treatment of glaucoma and OHT, ripasudil is regarded as a possible second-line choice in spite of the high occurrence of conjunctival hyperemia.