Intraoperative Iris Behavior During Phacoemulsification Maneuvers in Rabbits Treated with Selective Alpha-1 Blocker, 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, or Anxiolytic Medication

This study investigated the effects of α-blocker (tamsulosin), 5α-reductase inhibitor (finasteride), and anxiolytic (lorazepam) medications on intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) in 31 Metis rabbits. The rabbits were divided into four groups: 10 received tamsulosin, 10 received finasteride, 5 received lorazepam, and 6 were untreated controls. After 43 days of dosing, phacoemulsification was performed, and iris billowing was graded. Tamsulosin-dosed rabbits showed a higher incidence of iris billowing with an odds ratio of 8.33, indicating a significant association between tamsulosin and IFIS.