AN EVALUATION OF EFFICACY OF COMMONLY USED FIRST LINE DRUGS IN TERMS OF INTRA OCULAR PRESSURE, OCULAR PERFUSION PRESSURE, AND FIELD OF VISION IN PATIENTS OF PRIMARY OPEN ANGLE GLAUCOMA OF NORTH KARNATAKA

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to measure the efficacy of commonly used timolol and latanoprost as first line drugs in terms of intra ocular pressure (IOP) and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP). Methods: This was an open-labeled, randomized, and prospective study conducted in the outpatient department of ophthalmology. Newly diagnosed patients were recruited into the study. A total of 60 patients were recruited into our study and were randomized in a 1:1 ratio into two groups of 30 each to receive either timolol 0.5% eye drops twice daily (Group 1) or latanoprost 0.005% eye drops once daily in the evening for a period of 6 weeks (n=30/group). A baseline general ophthalmic examination was done, and the patients were followed up at week 4 and week 6. Results: Latanoprost has a greater IOP lowering effect in patients with primary open angle glaucoma as compared to timolol and also concurrently increases Ocular perfusion pressure to a larger extent as compared to timolol. Conclusion: Latanoprost (left eye: 18.47 and right eye: 18.36) has a greater IOP lowering effect in patients with primary open angle glaucoma as compared to timolol (left eye: 20.4 and right eye: 20.7). Latanoprost (left eye: 57.13 and right eye: 57.20) also concurrently increases ocular perfusion pressure to a larger extent as compared to timolol (left eye: 54.15 and right eye: 55.33).