Effects of systemic administration of 0.5% tropicamide on intraocular pressure, pupillary diameter, blood pressure, and heart rate in normal cats

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the effects of systemic 0.5% tropicamide on intraocular pressure (IOP), pupillary diameter (PD), blood pressure, and heart rate (HR) in normal felines with normotensive eyes. PROCEDURES: Intraocular pressure, PD, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean blood pressure (MBP), and HR were measured in 18 clinically healthy cats. Each of the previously mentioned parameters was measured every 30 min during the trial period. At T(60), each cat was treated with one to two drops of 0.5% tropicamide ophthalmic solution placed on the dorsal aspect of the tongue. Changes in SBP, DBP, MBP, and HR were evaluated using one-way repeated measures analysis of variance, with time as the repeated factor. IOP and PD were evaluated using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance, with time and side (OD vs. OS) as the repeated factors. P values less than or equal to 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: After lingual tropicamide administration, the mean PD at T(60) was 3.53 mm OD and 3.53 mm OS. The mean PD at T(90) was 6.36 mm OD and 6.31 mm OS. The mean PD at T(120) was 8.25 mm OD and 8.19 mm OS. This change in PD from T(60), T(90), and T(120) was statistically significant, demonstrating a linear increase in PD over time after tropicamide application on the tongue (P<0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference in PD when comparing the right to the left pupils (P=0.10). The mean IOP at T(60) was 14 mmHg OD and 12.94 mmHg OS. The mean IOP at T(90) was 14.5 mmHg OD and 14.23 mmHg OS. The mean IOP at T(120) was 14.94 mmHg OD and 14.89 mmHg OS. This change in IOP from T(60), T(90), and T(120) was statistically significant, demonstrating a linear increase in IOP over time after tropicamide application on the tongue (P=0.034). There was no statistically significant difference in IOP when comparing the right eye to the left eye (P=0.28). There were no statistically significant differences in SBP, DBP, MBP, and HR values over time for the duration of the study. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that although lingual application of tropicamide appears to result in systemic absorption, causing significant pupillary dilation and elevations in IOP, systemic effects on SBP, DBP, MBP, and HR were not observed.