A clinical study of effect of oral atenolol on normal intraocular pressure and systemic blood pressure.

Atenolol is a newer betablocker, widely used as an antihypertensive drug. It cause a large and rapid fall in IOP when used orally and topically. A total of 33 patients both having normal and raised IOP were included in the study. The drug was given in a dose of 50 mg. tab. orally once a day for 7 days at 8 A.M. and IOP recorded after 24 hours, 72 hours and on 7th day. It produces significant and sustained fall in IOP in both normal and raised IOP patients besides lowering of systematic B.P. and pulse rate. The IOP on patients with systemic hypertension with Atenolol will be reduced and stoppage of therapy may cause glaucoma damage.