Improvement in glaucoma patient quality of life by therapy switch to preservative-free timolol/dorzolamide fixed combination.

PURPOSE

To assess a change in visual-related quality of life (QoL) in glaucoma patients after switching from preservative-containing medical therapy to preservative-free unit dose timolol/dorzolamide fixed combination (TDFC UD).

METHODS

Prospective, noninterventional, multicenter 8-week study. Primary outcome was a change in visual symptoms at week 8, as assessed by the Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS).

RESULTS

80 patients completed the study. There was a clinically significant increase in the scores of all GSS-related categories at week 8 when compared to baseline (GSS symptom week 8: +21.15 ± 37.9%, GSS function week 8: +10.3 ± 31.6%, both p < 0.001 vs. baseline). Comparison between patients taking only TDFC UD and patients taking TDFC UD plus concomitant medications did not detect differences in any GSS category (p > 0.50 in all comparisons).

CONCLUSIONS

Switching to TDFC UD significantly improved the self-reported QoL of glaucoma patients. This can be seen even in patients who are taking concomitant ocular treatments.