title: From dorzolamide 2%/timolol 0.5% to brinzolamide 1%/timolol 0.5% fixed combination: a 6-month, multicenter, open-label tolerability switch study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess ocular surface status and tolerability after switching glaucoma patients from dorzolamide/timolol to brinzolamide/timolol fixed combination (FC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Six-month, multicenter, open-label, prospective study that switched 72 patients from dorzolamide/timolol to brinzolamide/timolol FC. Intraocular pressure (IOP), tear film break-up-time (TF-BUT), fluorescein staining and Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS) questionnaire were recorded at baseline and after 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median interquartile range (IQR) IOP was 16 (IQR 15 - 18) mmHg at baseline and 16 (15 - 17) mmHg and 6 months. TF-BUT significantly improved (p < 0.0001); the regression analysis found a negative association between TF-BUT changes and age at baseline and at month 6 (r = -0.32; p = 0.0082 and r = -0.31; p = 0.0085). Patients with no corneal fluorescein staining statistically increased after substitution (p = 0.04). Quality of life - as examined by the GSS symptoms (SYMP) score - statistically improved (p < 0.0001), revealing an association between GSS SYMP score and age [coefficient -0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.13 to -0.21, p = 0.0005), superficial keratitis (coefficient -8.26, 95% CI -15.73 to -0.80, p = 0.031) and TF-BUT (coefficient 4.94, 95% CI 1.71 to 8.17, p = 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Brinzolamide/timolol FC is associated with reduced topical discomfort and improved signs of ocular surface disease. The good tolerability and comfort of this FC might contribute to good patient adherence.
authors.affiliation: University Eye Clinic of Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Piazzale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy. gemma.rossi.md@gmail.com
authors.forename: Gemma Caterina Maria
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Gian Maria
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Pasinetti
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sandolo
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bordin
authors.forename: Paolo Emilio
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Bianchi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013843:Thiazines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013843:Thiazines; D013876:Thiophenes; D013999:Timolol; C111827:brinzolamide; C062765:dorzolamide