Effects of betaxolol and flunarizine on visual fields and intraocular pressure in patients with migraine.
Fifty-one patients with migraine were divided into four groups to investigate the effects of topical betaxolol and systemic calcium channel blocker flunarizine on visual fields (VF) and intraocular pressure (IOP). The first group (Group 0) was followed with no medications, topical betaxolol (bid) was precribed to the second group (Group B), oral flunarizine (10 mg daily) was prescribed to the third group (Group F), and the last group (Group BF) was assigned for combined betaxolol and flunarizine treatment. After a mean follow-up time of 4.2 +/- 1.2 months (3-6 months), IOP measurements and VF tests were repeated. Group B and Group BF were found to be statistically different from the other groups in terms of IOP reduction and VF improvement according to mean deviation and corrected pattern standard deviation indices in the second examinations. On the other hand, Group F and Group BF differed from the other two groups considering the improvement in migrainous complaints. VF findings which are probably influenced by perfusion problems due to vasospastic mechanisms in migraineurs, improved following topical betaxolol treatment. However, systemic use of flunarizine--a calcium channel blocker--did not seem to be effective on visual fields although it had beneficial effects on migraine.
Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, 1st Eye Clinic, Ankara, Turkey. alperyx@yahoo.com
Alper
A
Yarangümeli
Selçuk
S
Comoglu
Ozlem Gürbüz
OG
Köz
Atilla Halil
AH
Elhan
Gülcan
G
Kural
D000293:Adolescent; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D015784:Betaxolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005444:Flunarizine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000187:drug effects*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015784:Betaxolol; D005444:Flunarizine