Search

Glaucoma, an abnormal condition of elevated pressure within the eye caused by obstruction of the outflow of aqueous humor from the anterior portion of the eye between the cornea and the lens, is frequently treated with local application (in the form of eye drops) of beta-blockers. Two areas of concern with this treatment are the possibility of body-wide side effects from this medication and lack of patient compliance. The usual medical regimen involves twice daily instillation of the eyedrops. The maximum dosage schedule is twice a day instillation of 0.5 percent strength medication. It would be desirable if the frequency and strength of the dose could be reduced. Once-daily administration might result in better patient compliance. A three-month study was undertaken of patients with open-angle glaucoma to evaluate a once-daily regimen of 0.25 percent of levobunolol or timolol. Prior to beginning the study, intraocular pressure, heart rate and blood pressure were measured. There were 37 patients in the levobunolol group and 41 in the timolol group. The overall decrease in intraocular pressure was 5.3 mm Hg in the levobunolol group and 5.4 mm in the timolol - not a statistically significant difference. At the end of the study there were no significant differences in either blood pressure or heart rate. These findings suggest that once-daily administration of 0.25 percent levobunolol or timolol are equally effective in controlling intraocular pressure. Compared with other studies, the percent reduction in pressure obtained was similar to that observed with once-daily administration of 5 percent levobunolol or twice daily administration of 0.25 percent medication. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)