title: Fixed-combination treatments for intraocular hypertension in Chinese patients - focus on bimatoprost-timolol.
abstract: Glaucoma is a common eye disease that can lead to irreversible vision loss if left untreated. The early diagnosis and treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma is challenging, and visual impairment in Chinese glaucoma patients is a serious concern. Most of these patients need more than one topical antiglaucoma agent to control their intraocular pressures (IOPs). In the People's Republic of China, the daily cost of different glaucoma medication varies greatly, and the treatment habits differ throughout the country. Prostaglandin analogs (PGAs) are recommended as first-line monotherapy, because of their efficacy and low risk of systemic side effects. Fixed-combination drops, particularly PGA-based fixed combinations, have recently been developed and used in patients with progression or who have failed to achieve their target IOPs. Here, we reviewed the current literature on the use of bimatoprost-timolol fixed combination (BTFC) in the People's Republic of China. BTFC has achieved good efficacy and tolerability in Chinese clinical trials. In addition, BTFC is more cost effective compared with other fixed combinations available in the People's Republic of China. Fixed-combination drops may offer benefits, such as keeping the ocular surface healthy, convenience of administration, and improvement in long-term adherence and quality of life. Therefore, BTFC has great potential for the treatment of Chinese glaucoma patients. However, the long-term efficacy of BTFC, comparisons of BTFC with other fixed-combination drugs, and treatment adherence and persistence with treatment in Chinese patients are unknown and will require further study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhihong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Myopia, Ministry of Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xinghuai
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044466:Asian People; D000069580:Bimatoprost / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002681:China; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013999:Timolol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013999:Timolol; D000069580:Bimatoprost
keywords: bimatoprost; glaucoma; open-angle