Incidence of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome in patients on either systemic or topical alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of Intraoperative Floppy Iris syndrome (IFIS) in relation to the usage of alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists.

DESIGN: Prospective, interventional case series.

METHODS: In 2,643 consecutive eyes of 1,968 patients undergoing cataract surgery, occurrence of IFIS and use of alpha(1) antagonists were recorded.

RESULTS: IFIS was observed in 29 eyes (1.1%) of 25 male patients, all of whom were receiving alpha(1) antagonists. In those receiving systemic tamsulosin, alpha(1A) selective antagonist, IFIS developed in 25 (43.1%) of 58 eyes. In those receiving systemic naftopidil, alpha(1A) and alpha(1D) antagonists, IFIS was found in 4 (19.0%) of 21 eyes. There was no case of IFIS in patients who received other systemic alpha(1) antagonists and in eyes treated with bunazosin eyedrops, a nonselective alpha(1) antagonist.

CONCLUSIONS: IFIS occurred in 1.1% of cases treated with systemic alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor antagonists for benign prostatic hypertrophy. Topical nonselective alpha(1) antagonist did not induce IFIS.