The effect of betaxolol on ocular blood flow and visual fields in patients with normotension glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the effect of ophthalmic betaxolol, a beta, selective adrenoceptor antagonist, on ocular blood flow and visual function in patients with normotension glaucoma (NTG).


METHODS
Thirty-six eyes of eighteen patients with NTG, but otherwise free of systemic disease, were included. Blood fibrinogen, sedimentation rates, Goldmann intraocular pressure, Humphrey automated perimetry, and color Doppler imaging were done at baseline and after one year of twice-daily bilateral topical ocular dosing with 0.5% betaxolol HCI.


RESULTS
After treatment, the resistivity index of the ophthalmic artery was significantly reduced, and visual fields were significantly improved. The resistivity indexes of the central retinal artery and posterior ciliary artery were also reduced but did not achieve statistical significance. Intraocular pressure was significantly reduced. There was no change in blood fibrinogen and sedimentation rates.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that long-term treatment with ophthalmic betaxolol improves ocular hemodynamics by lowering the resistivity index of the ophthalmic artery and results in an improvement in the visual fields of patients with NTG. In view of this positive effect on blood flow and visual function, betaxolol is recommended in the management of patients with NTG.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ankara, School of Medicine, Turkey.
M E
ME
Turaçli
R G
RG
Ozden
M A
MA
Gürses
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015784:Betaxolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D019842:Ciliary Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009880:Ophthalmic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000187:drug effects*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D005340:Fibrinogen; D015784:Betaxolol