[Evaluation of the effect of bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination on ocular blood flow in patients with ocular hypertension using colour Doppler imaging. Preliminary study].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of topical bimatoprost (0.3 mg/ml)/timolol maleate (5 mg/ ml) fixed combination on retrobulbar blood flow in patients with ocular hypertension (OHT).


METHODS
Twenty consecutive patients with OHT were prospectively randomised to either bimatoprost/timolol or placebo during a 12 weeks double masked treatment trial. Examinations were performed at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), slit-lamp examination, automated static perimetry, systemic blood pressure and heart rate were all recorded. Retrobulbar blood flow measurements of the ophthalmic artery (AO) and central retinal artery (CRA) were measured by colour Doppler imaging.


RESULTS
IOP was significantly decreased by bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination (p < 0.0001). Bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination therapy resulted in a significant increase in end diastolic velocity (EDV) of the CRA (p = 0.03). In patients treated with bimatoprost/timolol a statistically significant correlation between IOP and EDV was observed after 12 weeks of treatment (r = -0.511, p = 0.045). The systolic (p = 0.54) and diastolic (p = 0.67) blood pressures and heart rate (p = 0.10) did not show statistically significant differences during the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination significantly reduced IOP in patients with OHT. However, the only significant change observed in retrobulbar haemodynamics was an increase in EDV of the CRA, probably associated with a reduction in IOP.
García-Pérez
J L
JL
Licenciado en Medicina, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, España. jlgarperez@gmail.com
Puerto-Hernández
B
B
Rebolleda Fernández
G
G
Muñoz-Negrete
F J
FJ
González-Gordaliza
C
C
D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069580:Bimatoprost; D003008:Cloprostenol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects*; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
D000577:Amides; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D003008:Cloprostenol; D013999:Timolol; D000069580:Bimatoprost