This study was designed to evaluate whether acetylcysteine alone and in association with dexamethasone could reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) in normal dogs. Three groups of five dogs each were administered in the right eye, one drop of 3% acetylcysteine (NAC), 0.1% dexamethasone (DEXA), and 3% acetylcysteine with 0.1% dexamethasone (NACDEXA), respectively. Mean IOP in dogs given DEXA and NAC+DEXA increased compared to the saline treated left eye whereas in those given NAC, did not. There were no significant differences between the mean IOP’s of eyes treated with DEXA or NAC+DEXA but IOP was higher compared to animals given NAC. NAC and DEXA nor their combination had any effect on pupil diameter. The results suggest that acetylcysteine could be used in glaucomatous conditions. However the administration of acetylcysteine with dexamethasone may increase the intraocular pressure in normal and glaucomatous dogs.

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