Contrast sensitivity improves after brimonidine therapy in primary open angle glaucoma: a case for neuroprotection.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the visual outcome following initiation of brimonidine therapy in glaucoma.


METHODS
16 newly diagnosed previously untreated glaucoma patients were randomly assigned to either timolol 0.5% or brimonidine 0.2%. Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity (CS), visual fields, intraocular pressure (IOP), blood pressure, and heart rate were evaluated at baseline and after 3 months.


RESULTS
IOP reduction was similar for both groups (p<0.05). Brimonidine improved CS; in the right eye at 6 and 12 cpd (p=0.043, p=0.017); in the left eye at 3 and 12 cpd (p=0.044, p=0.046). Timolol reduced CS at 18 cpd in the right eye (p=0.041). There was no change in any other measured parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Glaucoma patients exhibit improved CS on initiation of brimonidine therapy.
Evans
D W
DW
School of Optometry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Hosking
S L
SL
Gherghel
D
D
Bartlett
J D
JD
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / Q000187:drug effects; D013999:Timolol / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011810:Quinoxalines; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D013999:Timolol