[Timolol 0.5%/dorzolamide 2% fixed combination versus timolol 0.5%/pilocarpine 2% fixed combination in primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertensive patients].

PURPOSE

To establish the efficacy and safety of timolol 0.5%/dorzolamide 2% fixed combination versus timolol 0.5%/pilocarpine 2% fixed combination, each given twice daily, in primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertensive patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this prospective, multicenter, double-masked trial, 37 patients were treated twice daily with timolol for 4 weeks. Then, they were randomized to one of the treatment medications for 6 weeks, after which they were treated with timolol again for 2 weeks before placed on the opposite treatment medication for 6 weeks.

RESULTS

A total of 36 patients completed the trial. The mean baseline intraocular pressure (IOP) was 22.3 +/- 3.7 mmHg. Following 6 weeks of treatment, the mean decrease of IOP was 18.0 +/- 2.2 mmHg for timolol/dorzolamide combination and 17.4 +/- 2.0 for timolol/pilocarpine combination. The mean diurnal curve IOP was 18.1 +/- 2.2 mmHg for timolol/dorzolamide group and 16.7 +/- 1.9 mmHg for timolol/pilocarpine group. These differences were statistically significant. Statistically more patients reported ocular pain and diminished vision during use of the timolol/pilocarpine combination.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggest that timolol 0.5%/pilocarpine 2% fixed combination can provide at least similar efficacious reduction in IOP as timolol 0.5 %/dorzolamide 2% fixed combination in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.