Pooled-data analysis of three randomized, double-masked, six-month studies comparing intraocular pressure-reducing effects of latanoprost and timolol in patients with ocular hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To assess retrospectively the intraocular pressure (IOP)-reducing effect of latanoprost compared with timolol in the subset of patients with ocular hypertension (OH).


METHODS
Three randomized, double-masked, multicenter, parallel group, 6-month studies conducted in the United States, United Kingdom, and Scandinavia compared the efficacy and safety of latanoprost and timolol. The present study represents an analysis of the pooled data for the subset of OH patients. Intent-to-treat analyses were based on all randomized OH patients.


RESULTS
Of the 441 patients with OH, 247 were treated with latanoprost and 194 were treated with timolol. Baseline mean diurnal IOP levels were 24.4 +/- 0.2 mm Hg (mean +/- standard error of the mean) in the latanoprost group and 24.2 +/- 0.2 mm Hg in the timolol group. Overall, latanoprost lowered mean diurnal IOP by 1.1 +/- 0.2 mm Hg (95% CI: 1.6 to 0.7 mm Hg, P < 0.001) more than timolol. The difference in IOP-lowering ability between the two drugs was not shown to be related to patient sex, age, race, presence or absence of previous treatment of OH, time elapsed since ocular diagnosis, or family history of glaucoma/OH. Percentage reductions from baseline in diurnal IOP levels of at least 20% were achieved by 83% of patients treated with latanoprost versus 62% of those receiving timolol.


CONCLUSIONS
Latanoprost provides superior IOP reduction compared with timolol in patients with OH.
Hedman
Katarina
K
Department of Biometrics, Pharmacia Diagnostics, Uppsala, Sweden. albert.alm@nc.uas.lul
Alm
Albert
A
Gross
Ronald L
RL
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077338:Latanoprost; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013999:Timolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D000077338:Latanoprost; D013999:Timolol