Preliminary results following the use of a fixed combination of timolol–brimonidine in patients with ocular hypertension and primary open-angle glaucoma

Dimitris Papaconstantinou¹, Ilias Georgalas², Nikolaos Kourtis¹, Christos Pitsas¹, Efthimios Karmiris¹, Chrysanthi Koutsandrea¹, Ioannis Ladas¹, Gerasimos Georgopoulos^1
1Department of Ophthalmology, “G Gennimatas” Hospital of Athens, University of Athens, Athens, Greece; ²Department of Ophthalmology, “G Gennimatas” Hospital of Athens, NHS, Athens, Greece

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy in intraocular pressure (IOP) control and the tolerance of a topically administered fixed combination of timolol–brimonidine in 50 patients with ocular hypertension and primary open-angle glaucoma.

Methods: After determining a baseline IOP, the fixed combination timolol–brimonidine was used twice daily for two months, while IOP, ophthalmic signs, and/or symptoms were monitored.

Results: The mean IOP value was decreased from 23.09 mm Hg (±1.98 SD) to 17.46 mm Hg (±1.47 SD) during the 1st month (paired Student’s t test = 9.88 και p < 0.001), and to 17.51 mm Hg (±1.43 SD) in the 2nd month. Between the 1st and 2nd month, no statistical difference was observed (paired Student’s t test = 0.02 και p < 0.1). In 8% of the patients during the 1st month and 10% of patients in the 2nd month, some ophthalmic signs were observed, while only mild ophthalmic symptoms were reported in 6% and 8% of the patients, respectively.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the fixed combination of timolol–brimonidine has a satisfactory IOP-lowering effect without any serious side effects due to the topical use.

Keywords: fixed combination 0.2% brimonidine–0.5% timolol, ocular hypertension, primary open-angle glaucoma