A retrospective study of the incidence of adverse drug reactions from topical ocular medications

Objective: The purpose of this study was to gather general incidence data on adverse drug reaction rates from topical ocular medications. Study design: A retrospective study from January 1993 to March 1996 was conducted at the Columbus, Ohio Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic. Adverse drug reaction data was compiled for the topical ocular medications on formulary using monthly minutes from the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. Data was analyzed using an incidence equation. Results: Of the seventeen reported adverse drug reactions, 76.5% were hypersensitivity reactions. No adverse reactions were reported for 1993. Dipivefrin 0.1% had the highest incidence rate of 1.1% in 1994 while apraclonidine 0.5% had the leading incidence rates of 6.6% and 5.6% for 1995 and 1996, respectively. Conclusion: This study found adverse drug reactions from topical ocular medications at this facility were mild and rare with an average incidence of 1.5%.