title: Interleukin-1beta tear concentration in glaucomatous and ocular hypertensive patients treated with preservative-free nonselective beta-blockers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the ocular surface inflammatory response to the presence of preservatives in nonselective beta-blocker eyedrops.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, crossover, single-masked, randomized clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  study population: Twenty primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertensive patients were divided in two groups, one treated with preservative-free timolol 0.5% (group 1) and the other with preserved timolol 0.5% (group 2) eyedrops. After 60 days of therapy and 3 more weeks of washout, the two groups switched to the other therapy. procedure: At each visit, basal tear samples were collected from the inferior conjunctival fornix for the determination of interleukin (IL)-1beta tear concentrations by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intraocular pressure measurement, conjunctival hyperemia, superficial punctate keratitis, and tear film breakup time were evaluated. main outcome measure: IL-1beta concentration in tears following the use of preserved eyedrops.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IL-1beta tear concentrations increased significantly in both groups, compared with baseline values, during preserved timolol therapy. There were no statistically significant changes in hyperemia and superficial punctate keratitis throughout the study in either group. A statistically significant breakup time reduction was observed in both groups after 30 days and after 60 days of preserved therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of preservatives in timolol 0.5% eyedrops leads to tear film instability and ocular surface inflammatory changes documented by a reduction of breakup time and an increase of IL-1beta tear concentrations. Preservative-free beta-blockers are preferable for long-term hypotensive therapy to prevent ocular surface inflammation.
authors.affiliation: University of Rome Tor Vergata, Dipartimento di Biopatologie e Diagnostica per Immagini, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Manni
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Centofanti
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Oddone
authors.forename: Mariacristina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parravano
authors.forename: Massimo G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Bucci
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007634:Keratitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*; D013999:Timolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D007375:Interleukin-1; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D013999:Timolol