Adjuvant effect of with beta-blocker eye drops in the management of progressive glaucomatous optic neuropathy: An open-label randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION

Primary open angle glaucoma is an insidious and chronic vision-threatening eye ailment due to neuro-retino-optic nerve degeneration, which may be due to the raised intraocular pressure (IOP) or due to independent factors. Management of glaucoma is mainly concentrated on lowering IOP that requires lifetime topical medication, different ocular medicaments for lowering of IOP, and surgical interventions, but it has its own limitations to control the progression of glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON), and this is the reason behind the use of alternative neuroprotective adjuvants.

AIM

To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of Ayurvedic line of management of progressive GON.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ingredients of trial drug Vara Fort powder () were procured from the Institute Pharmacy, except , which was purchased from Dhootapapeshwar Pharmaceuticals. The patients fulfilling inclusion criteria, attending outpatient and inpatient departments, irrespective of their sex, race, religion, occupation, etc., were selected and divided into two groups with open-labeled randomization. In Group A, in addition to betaxolol (0.1%) or timolol (0.5%) (non-iobrim), 6 g/day orally with and honey along with (body-microchannel clearing treatment) protocol was tried. (oleation through nasal route) with and (eye satiation) with were also performed. In Group B (control), brimonidine (iobrim) 0.2% eye drop was used for 3 months.

RESULTS

Significant improvement was observed in subjective parameters in Group A such as blurred vision, frequent change of presbyopic glasses, and delayed dark adaptation.

CONCLUSION

, if administered in a systematic approach along with a modern topical betaxolol or timolol eye drops, has a definite role in improving the lost retinal sensitivity as much as up to 12 dB in 3 months duration.