Effect of brimonidine tartrate 0.2% ophthalmic solution on visual quality after implantable collamer lens implantation with a central hole.

Purpose To investigate the effect of brimonidine tartrate 0.2% on visual quality after implantable collamer lens with a central hole (ICL V4c). Methods This study comprised 59 consecutive patients implanted with an ICL V4c. Brimonidine was administered randomly into one eye of the patients with symptomatic glare or halos 1 week postoperatively and the contralateral eye with artificial tears as the control group. Visual quality (measured by a optical quality analysis system), pupil size and refraction under scotopic light conditions were measured before and 0.5, 1.5, 3 and 6 h after administration of brimonidine. A symptom questionnaire was also evaluated. Results The visual quality improved and reached its maximum value, and the scotopic pupil size reached its minimum value 1.5 h after brimonidine administration, with a statistically significant difference seen from 0.5 to 3 h compared to baseline. No changes in refraction were seen after brimonidine. The questionnaire showed that symptoms of glare or halos could be eliminated after brimonidine in 58% of patients, be alleviated in 37% of patients and be unchanged in 5% of patient. However, 10% of patients experienced conjunctival congestion and some patients experienced reduced drug efficacy 1 month after treatment. Conclusion Brimonidine can be used to improve night visual quality in early postoperative period after ICL V4c implantation. It helps patients to quickly adapt to the glare or halos.