2% IBOPAMINE EYE-DROPS: EVALUATION OF A DIAGNOSTIC TEST IN OUTFLOW PATHWAY DISORDERS

F. De Gregorio, F. Virno, G. Stecchi, L. Sedran and F. Missiroli

Department of Ophthalmology, Rome, Italy

Purpose: to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ibopamine test

Methods: we selected 218 glaucomatous patients (group 1) and  210 normal subjects (group 2). Among the second group 64 subject (subgroup 2b) were previously studied and selected according to very restricted inclusion criteria to ensure the lack of any sign of hydrodynamic disorders. All the subjects underwent to Ibopamine test (IOP changes 45 min after topically administered 2% Ibopamine). ROC curve was calculated to establish the cut-off value to consider the test positive or negative. Sensitivity and specificity of the test were calculated and presented with 95% confidence intervals.

Results: According to ROC curve, the cut-off value to consider positive or negative the test was set to >3 mmHg. Sensitivity = 85.7% (95%CI: 82-89%); Specificity =94.3% (95%CI: 91.9-96.6%). Considering only subgroup 2b, specificity was increased to 100% (95%CI: 98-100%).

Conclusion: Ibopamine is a valuable, simple and low-cost test that can be successfully used in glaucoma diagnostics as a tool for detecting functional alteration of outflow pathways