Abstract
The intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering efficacy of once-daily levobunolol 0.5% was compared with timolol 0.5% twice-daily and timolol 0.5% once-daily in 20 chronic open angle glaucoma and 5 ocular hypertensive patients. The design used was a randomised double blind cross-over trial with three periods each of 8 weeks separated by 2 weeks of no treatment.
We found that following levobunolol a two week washout was not sufficient for the IOP to return to its original baseline level suggesting that levobunolol is a longer acting drug than timolol. Adjusting for this carryover effect, we found no significant difference in the IOP lowering effect among the three regimes (p=0.53). Reduced cost, less ocular discomfort and better compliance are the main potential advantages of the once daily treatments.
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