Fixed-combination latanoprost--timolol for the treatment of glaucoma.

Latanoprost is one of the greatest success stories of medical treatment of glaucoma. Latanoprost was developed in the early 1990s and quickly became the best selling eye drop for glaucoma treatment replacing timolol as the drug of choice in the USA within 3 years. Its use led to a sharp decline in surgical treatment for glaucoma in the developed world. Timolol had been introduced with similar success in the 1970s, replacing pilocarpine, a drug that needed more frequent instillation and caused significant topical side effects including pain and blurred vision. Fixed-combination therapy with latanoprost and timolol was introduced in Europe several years ago with the hope that convenience and better compliance would improve clinical outcomes. However, the results of this therapy have been disappointing with less intraocular pressure lowering than might be expected from the two most effective eye drops for the treatment of glaucoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]