Effect of pilocarpine drops on the diurnal intraocular pressure variation in patients with glaucoma.

The diurnal intraocular pressure was measured in 14 eyes of patients with glaucoma while they were using no medication and compared to the diurnal pressures while they were using pilocarpine drops. During the 48 hour control period, the pressures measured every 3 hours by the non-contact tonometer had a mean value of 26 mm. Hg and a mean maximum diurnal variation of 18.5 mm. Hg. During the pilocarpine treatment period, the mean pressure and maximum diurnal variation dropped to 17 and 8.5 mm. Hg, respectively. The greatest pressure-lowering effect occurred between 9 A.M. and 6 P.M.