DR.PRERNA GARG

DR. JULIE PEGU, DR.DARSHANA DAGA

Abstract

ROCK inhibitors (Netarsudil and Ripasudil) are a new class of drugs, which have recently been added as a therapy to lower the intraocular pressure (IOP) of eye. The most common side effect noted with both was conjunctival hyperemia, majority being mild in nature and resolving within 2 hours of instillation. One side effect which was not seen in trials was reticular corneal edema – a honeycomb type of epithelial edema, which has been noted in a significant number of our patients over the last year. This has been typically noted in eyes with a compromised endothelium, either post keratoplasty, after multiple ocular surgeries or in those with an underlying low-grade inflammation. This however is a reversible phenomenon, on discontinuation of the agent, with no known long-term implication on the health of cornea.

Randomized trials are needed to study the safety and efficacy of this group of drugs in uncontrolled complex glaucoma particularly those with low endothelial cell count.