Comparative study between timolol maleate and timolol - brimonidine combination in treatment of open-angle glaucoma of moderate intraocular pressure in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

To study the efficacy of Timolol Maleate Vs Timolol-Brimonidine combination in lowering the intraocular pressure (IOP) in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) at a tertiary care hospital. To study any adverse effects of both drug therapies in treatment of POAG. Computerized simple randomization was followed in allocating the patients for the two groups. In each group, n=20, is the total number of patients, and N=30, is the total number of eyes tested, since both eyes were involved in some patients. The concentration of the monotherapy was 0.5% w/v Timolol Maleate and concentration of the combination therapy was 0.2% w/v Brimonidine Tartrate and 0.5% w/v Timolol Maleate. Both drugs were administered twice daily and IOP was recorded every 3 days, for a period of 4 weeks. Monotherapy of Timolol is seen to lower the IOP at 25% in 3 days, whereas the Timolol-Brimonidine combination therapy lowers the IOP at twice the rate that is 50% in 3 days. After reaching a IOP of 12mmHg, which is the normal IOP, both the drugs are used for maintenance therapy. Adverse effects were reported with both groups. Timolol monotherapy is also priced lower, when compared to Timolol-Brimonidine combination therapy. Timolol monotherapy provides the same result as the Timolol-Brimonidine combination therapy and is also comparatively cheaper. Hence, Timolol monotherapy is better suited for the treatment of POAG.