A 4-year retrospective study of add-on therapy to the fixed combination of dorzolamide/timolol for the treatment of POAG.

AIM

To evaluate the long-term response to the fixed combination of dorzolamide/timolol in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and the addition of other intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering medications such as prostaglandin analogs and brimonidine.

METHODS

A retrospective, non-randomized, and descriptive clinical study was performed with 182 eyes diagnosed with POAG. Patients were divided into three groups: a group with fixed combination of dorzolamide/timolol only, a second group with prostaglandin analogs plus fixed combination of dorzolamide/timolol, and a third group with the addition of brimonidine to the same fixed combination. IOP data were gathered retrospectively and the differences between groups were calculated.

RESULTS

IOP was reduced satisfactorily in all three groups; however, a progressive IOP reduction was noted in the group with the fixed combination plus prostaglandin analogs. In this group, a progressive, significant and more homogeneous response of the reduction was noted in comparison with the other groups.

CONCLUSION

IOP reduction was efficacious in all three groups. The addition of prostaglandin analogs showed progressive IOP reduction, progressive response and absence of long-term drift. Brimonidine did not show a significant additive effect.