The effect of pilocarpine Ocusert with different release rates on ocular pressure.

The pilocarpine-Ocusert system exhibits a dose-effect relationship such that a greater release rate results in a greater ocular hypotensive effect; the effect is not appreciably modified when release rates are in excess of 50 i*g per hour. The magnitude of the mean per cent reduction in outflow pressure with 50 fig per hour is comparable to that reported for pilocarpine concentrations of 4 to 8 per cent. The hypotensive effect of Ocusert-50 is significantly greater than that of pilocarpine 2 per cent ophthalmic solution. Clinically, a single Ocusert unit can maintain controlled ocular pressure level in the sensitive individual for 2 to 4 days, and this control seems to increase with the release rate.