Effect of timolol 0.5% gel and solution on pulmonary function in older glaucoma patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of timolol maleate solution or gel forming solution versus placebo on pulmonary function in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension without reactive airway disease.


METHODS
After a screening visit, each patient was randomized by a Latin square technique to receive placebo twice daily, 0.5% timolol solution twice daily, or 0.5% timolol gel once a day (placebo given as second dose) to each eye for 2 weeks. Subjects then were crossed over to the two other treatments for 2-week treatment intervals. At each visit, patients were received a dose 15 minutes before pulmonary function testing.


RESULTS
This study began with 25 patients, and 20 finished the trial. There was no difference between treatment groups for the forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio (P > 0.1). The mean FEV1 for timolol solution, timolol gel, and placebo was 2.42 L, 2.45 L, and 2.50 L, respectively. The mean FVC for timolol solution, timolol gel, and placebo was 3.33 L, 3.38 L, and 3.44 L, respectively. No difference in intraocular pressure was observed between the timolol solution (17.1 +/- 3.3 mm Hg) and timolol gel (17.1 +/- 3.6 mm Hg) between the treatment periods (P > 0.1). No difference in side effects was observed between treatment groups (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In older patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension without reactive airway disease, nonselective beta-blockers should not worsen pulmonary function.
Stewart
W C
WC
Pharmaceutical Research Corporation, Charleston, South Carolina 29412-2464, USA.
Day
D G
DG
Holmes
K T
KT
Stewart
J A
JA
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D005782:Gels; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D013999:Timolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D014797:Vital Capacity
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D005782:Gels; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013999:Timolol