Role of the beta-adrenergic receptor-binding agent 'timolol' in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma.
A follow-up study was performed on 54 eyes with chronic open-angle glaucoma treated with timolol maleate. It was carried out as an open clinical trial with a selected group of eyes. During 2 years of application the effect of timolol under normal conditions as well as under stress tests (darkness test, water-, coffee- or tea-drinking test, early morning measurements) was observed. Until now 40% of patients were regulated with 0.25% timolol twice daily. Another 50% obtained good pressure values under 0.5% timolol therapy and the rest with 0.5% timolol and 2% pilocarpine twice daily. Early morning measurement was shown to be the most important indicator of intraocular pressure regulation by beta-blocking agents. While timolol is usually very effective in reducing the intraocular pressure during daytime, several patients showed unattended high morning pressure values. Up to now, no severe side-effects of timolol therapy have been observed.
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011412:Propanolamines; D010862:Pilocarpine; D013999:Timolol