Abstract
Purpose: Concomitant decreases in IOP and increases in contrast sensitivity (CS) have been noted in POAG patients following topical beta blocker therapy. We evaluated two non selective beta-blocking agents for changes in IOP and CS following treatmtmt. Methods; Two groups of newly diagnosed previously untreated POAG patients were evaluated for IOP, CS, heart rate and blood pressure before and then again following 2 and 5 months of treatment. The groups were similar for age, initial level of IOP and initial level of CS. Group 1 (n= 2) was treated for two months with levobunolol (b.i.d.) and then switchsd to timolol gel formation (q.d.) for three months. Group 2 (n = 18) followed the opposite sequence. Results: Both groups demonstrated significantly reduced IOP (p < .0001) and significantly increased CS following 2 (p < .01) and 5 months (p < .01) of treatment. Group 2 exhibited an additit tnal significant decline in IOP (1I.5 ±2.4 Vs. 18.7 ±2.2 mm Hg: p = 007) and significant increase in CS (p < .05) from the 2 to 5 month treatment condition. Group 1 showed no change in IOP or CS from the 2 to 5 rionth condition. Conclusion: In PCAG patients, treatment related reductions in IOP may provide for beneficial effects in central visual function.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | S557 |
| Journal | Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| State | Published - 1997 |
| Externally published | Yes |