Glaucosan

GLAUCOSAN, Glaucosan, an adrenal preparation, proposed in 1923 by the ophthalmologist Hamburger for the treatment of glaucoma. There are two preparations of Glaucosan: a levorotatory Glaucosan in the form of drops (Linksglaukosan - Augentropfen) and a dextrorotatory Glaucosan (Rechtsglaukosan).

The former consists of a 2% l-dioxyphenyl-ethanol-methyl-amino-hydrochloride and a 2% methyl-amino-aceto-pyrocatechin-chlorhydrate. Dextrorotatory Glaucosan is used in the form of subconjunctival injections; it is stored in double ampoules. One ampoule contains a mixture: dextrorotatory o-dioxyphenyl-ethanol-methyl-amidochlorid 0.002, methyl-amino-aceto-pyrocatechin-chlorhydrate 0.01, grape sugar 0.0012; the other ampoule contains Ringer-Locke solution. Glaucosan is a potent agent that dilates the pupil without affecting accommodation and lowers intraocular pressure. Glaucosan has gained great importance in the therapy of glaucoma due to its property of lowering intraocular pressure. It must be said that there is still no clear explanation for the action of Glaucosan on intraocular pressure: some explain it by its action on blood vessels, others (Seidel) see the cause in its toxic effect on the epithelium of the ciliary body, and still others (Ascher, Imre) attribute it to a change in the physical-chemical composition of the eye fluid. In some cases of glaucoma, Glaucosan lowers intraocular pressure, in others it has no effect, and in others it even causes an increase. Despite the uncertainty regarding the action of Glaucosan, based on experience, it must be acknowledged that in cases of simple glaucoma, especially in the remaining eye, Glaucosan should be tried before subjecting the patient to surgical treatment. The ease and simplicity of using Linksglaukosan, and the absence of influence on the entire organism, make it preferable to Rechtsglaukosan for injections.

Amine-Glaucosan has nothing in common with Glaucosan in terms of composition. While Glaucosan is a hormonal agent, Amine-Glaucosan is a pharmacological preparation. It is a biogenic amine contained in ergot (Secale cornutum). By chemical structure, it is β-imidazolyl-ethyl-amine-dichlorhydrate, or histamine. It was proposed by Hamburger in 1926 against acute glaucoma and is a strong miotic agent. When introduced into the eye, it causes severe edema of the conjunctiva, redness of the facial skin, and miosis. It quickly relieves a glaucomatous attack and makes it possible to operate under more favorable conditions, i.e., during a period of low intraocular pressure.