[Short and long-term hypotensive effect of timolol-gel and latanoprost instillation in normal-tension glaucoma].
OBJECTIVE
To confirm the predictive value of the results of a 4-week trial of latanoprost alone, timolol-gel alone, or a combination of the two in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients, when compared with the hypotensive response after a 6-month trial using the same combination of eye drops for the same patients.


METHODS
One eye each of 45 NTG patients was used in a prospective 4-week trial of latanoprost alone, timolol-gel alone, or a combination of the two. Patients continued using the eye drops for 6 months, according to the results of the trial. The correlation of the results of the 6-moth use and the baseline data, and the baseline data and the results of the 4-week trial were evaluated by the paired-t test.


RESULTS
The intraocular pressure(IOP)s of patients using timolol-gel alone were 13.9 mmHg at the base line, 9.7 mmHg after the trial, and 12.0 mmHg after 6-month use(baseline, trial: p < 0.05). IOPs when using latanoprost alone were 15.3 mmHg at baseline, 11.7 mmHg after the trial, and 11.5 mmHg after 6-month use(baseline: p < 0.05, trial: p = 0.33). IOPs using timolol-gel and latanoprost in combination were 14.8 mmHg at baseline, 11.4 mmHg after the trial, and 12.0 mmHg after 6-month use (baseline: p < 0:05, trial: p = 0.14).


CONCLUSIONS
The result of the 4-weeks trial of latanoprost alone or in combination with timolol-gel can be indicative of the IOP after 6-month use.
Department of Ophthalmology, Jichi Medical School, Tochigi, Japan.
Takako
T
Hashimoto
Takeshi
T
Hara
Yasuko
Y
Takahashi
Shunsuke
S
Kubota
Miyuki
M
Kubota
Tadahiko
T
Tsuru
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D000077338:Latanoprost; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D000077338:Latanoprost; D013999:Timolol