Timolol 0.1% gel versus timolol 0.5% eyedrops in the prophylaxis of ocular hypertension after phacoemulsification surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of timolol 0.1% gel in preventing increased intraocular pressure (IOP) after uncomplicated cataract surgery.


METHODS
In this prospective, double-blinded, randomized study were enrolled 70 patients who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. After cataract surgery, 25 patients received a single instillation of timolol 0.1% gel (group A); 20 a single instillation of timolol 0.5% eyedrops (group B); and 25 no treatment (group C). The IOP was measured before surgery (T0) and 5 minutes (T1), 2 hours ± 30 minutes (T2), 4 hours ± 30 minutes (T3), and 24 hours ± 180 minutes after surgery (T4).


RESULTS
The patients in groups A and B had lower mean IOP values than those in group C at T2, T3, and T4; IOP was higher at T2 and T3 than at T1 in the control group. The IOP spikes in group C were higher than those observed in groups A and B: at T2, they were observed in 40% of the patients in group A, 30% in group B, and 76% in group C; and at T3, in respectively 20%, 10%, and 68%; and at T4, in respectively 4%, 0%, and 28%.


CONCLUSIONS
Timolol 0.1% gel is as effective as timolol 0.5% eyedrops in reducing IOP and in limiting the occurrence of IOP spikes for up to 24 hours after phacoemulsification.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Perugia, Perugia - Italy.
Carlo
C
Cagini
Giovanni
G
Di Pasquale
Marco
M
Lupidi
Alessio
A
Cerquaglia
Angelo
A
Pascale
Alessandro
A
Boccolucci
Tito
T
Fiore
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D005782:Gels; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013999:Timolol