English

Abstract

ABSTACT: AIM: To test the efficacy of topical betaxolol to recover unexplained visual loss after uneventful cataract surgery in hypertensive patients. Study design: Randomized clinical trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred patients of decreased visual acuity (20\40 to 20/50 after best correction after 6 weeks of uncomplicated small incision surgery in hypertensive patients were enrolled. Fifty eyes received topical betaxolol twice daily and fifty eyes received placebo eye drops as a randomized comparison group and followed up for more than six months. Change in best-corrected visual acuity was considered as change of five letters (0.1 log MAR) or more. Statistical analysis: Significance of difference of results between study and control groups is determined by MannWhitney U test and Fisher Exact test. RESULTS: 14 (28 %) patients demonstrated three lines and 31 (62 %) patients showed two line improvement in best-corrected visual acuity under treatment group. Whereas one (0.3 to 0.0) and 11 (0.4 to 0.2) eyes of the placebo group demonstrated same amount visual improvement. CONCLUSION: Topical betaxolol significantly improves visual acuity in unexplained visual loss after uneventful small incision cataract surgery in hypertensive patients.