title: Intraocular pressure-reducing effects and safety of latanoprost versus timolol in patients with chronic angle-closure glaucoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate that the intraocular pressure (IOP)-reducing effect of latanoprost once daily is at least as good as that of timolol twice daily in patients with chronic angle-closure glaucoma (CACG).
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, double-masked, multicenter 12-week study.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 137 patients with unilateral or bilateral CACG were treated with latanoprost, and 138 were treated with timolol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients received either latanoprost (9 pm) and a placebo (9 am) or timolol (both 9 am and 9 pm). Intraocular pressure was measured at 9 am and 5 pm at baseline and weeks 2, 6, and 12.
  
  
  METHODS
  The difference between groups in daily IOP (average of 9 am and 5 pm measures) reduction was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included differences between groups in IOP reductions at 9 am and 5 pm, and in proportions of patients reaching specified daily IOP levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using repeated measures (analysis of covariance: intent to treat), mean changes from baseline in daily IOP levels during 12 weeks were -8.2 mmHg and -5.2 mmHg for latanoprost- and timolol-treated patients, respectively (difference: -3.0 mmHg [95% confidence interval: -4.0, -2.1], P<0.001). Greater reductions in IOP levels at both 9 am and 5 pm were found in latanoprost-treated patients (P<0.001 for both), and greater proportions of patients receiving latanoprost reached prespecified target daily IOP levels (P<0.001 for all 3 target levels tested). Both drugs were well tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Latanoprost administered once daily provides significantly greater IOP reduction in CACG patients than does timolol instilled twice daily.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Main Building Level 3, Singapore 119074. ophchewp@nus.edu.sg
authors.forename: Paul T K
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.forename: Tin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aung
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Aquino
authors.forename: Prin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rojanapongpun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D015812:Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077338:Latanoprost; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D000077338:Latanoprost; D013999:Timolol