Effect of changing medication regimens in glaucoma patients.
When glaucoma medication fails to adequately control intraocular pressure (IOP), a second medication is frequently added. Before adding a second drug to patients whose IOP was no longer controlled by 0.5% timolol, we tested the effect of switching to another beta blocker, levobunolol (0.5 or 1%). We also evaluated the effect of study participation on compliance in the control group continuing to receive 0.5% timolol. In each treatment group, the IOP of approximately 30-40% of the patients was successfully controlled for the 3-month study period. The remaining patients did not exhibit significant pressure reductions and were dropped from the study within 2 weeks. We concluded that (1) the results of 'switch' studies without a control group must be interpreted carefully, and (2) the initiation of a 'new regimen' with an equieffective beta blocker may be sufficient to increase compliance and thereby control IOP.
Novack
G D
GD
University of California, Irvine.
David
R
R
Lee
P F
PF
Freeman
M I
MI
Duzman
E
E
Batoosingh
A L
AL
D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002040:Levobunolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D010349:Patient Compliance; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013999:Timolol; D002040:Levobunolol