Efficacy of Single Glaucoma Medication in Combined Latanoprost and Timolol XE Therapy in Patients with Open-Angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension: A Discontinuation Study

Abstract

Abstract

Purpose:

To study the effect of single drug discontinuation in combined timolol XE 0.5% and latanoprost 0.005% treatment.

Methods:

Fifty patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who had received both latanoprost and timolol XE for at least 6 months were enrolled in this study. Timolol XE and latanoprost were administered once daily, timolol XE in the morning and latanoprost in the evening. Twenty-five patients discontinued timolol XE and the remaining 25 patients discontinued latanoprost. Either latanoprost or timolol XE was discontinued and 8 weeks later it was resumed. A change in intraocular pressure (IOP) was studied.

Results:

All patients had complete follow-up visits. A significant increase in mean IOP was found following drug discontinuation in the 2 groups. Mean change in IOP 8 weeks after discontinuation of the drug was +1.6±1.2 mmHg (10.3%±8.0%) in the timolol XE group and +4.3±1.6 mmHg (+27.2%±11.8%) in the latanoprost group. The change in the latanoprost group was significantly greater compared with that in the timolol XE group (P<0.0001). There was no significant difference in mean IOP between before drug discontinuation and at 8 weeks after drug resumption in any group.

Conclusions:

There was a significant increase in IOP from discontinuation of timolol XE and latanoprost. The hypotensive effect of latanoprost in the combined drug therapy is significantly greater compared with timolol XE.