[The influence of vasodilatators on intraocular pressure and blood pressure (author's transl)].

The influence of different vasodilatators on blood pressure and intraocular pressure has been tested in animal experiments. For that purpose substances with alphasympathicolytic effect (Hydergin, Trental) have been tested as well as substances which are of direct influence on the muscles. In all cases a decrease of the blood pressure was noticed. Furthermore in most of the cases an increase of the intraocular pressure could be seen. This is due to a direct dilatation of ocular vessels. The effects were short-lived and reversible. We tried to find an explanation for the variations of intraocular pressure during the decrease of blood pressure. The low transmural pressure (PTM) and the corresponding low starting point of the muscle tonus seemed to be responsible for this phenomenon. Without doubt the starting point of the blood pressure, the dose, and the cardiac ability for compensation are of great influence in the development of the curve. Only a sufficiently high blood pressure is able to dilate the ocular vessels, so that one has to draw therapeutic conclusions from the constellation blood pressure/intraocular pressure before deciding on treatment.