The intraocular pressure lowering efficacy of 0.5% timolol maleate versus 1% brinzolamide in cases of primary open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the intraocular pressure lowering efficacy of timolol maleate with brinzolamide in cases of primary open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Methods and Materials: This prospective, open, randomized, parallel group, comparative study was conducted in patients coming to the Department Of Ophthalmology, Rajindra Hospital attached to Government Medical College, Patiala. 60 patients of POAG or ocular hypertension were selected. Patients were then randomized into two groups (group I, II) and received 0.5 % timolol maleate and 1% brinzolamide respectively. Effectiveness of the drugs was calculated in terms of mm Hg fall in mean intraocular pressure at the end of 3 months. The observations thus made in both groups were compared. Results: In group I the mean pre-treatment IOP, mean post-treatment IOP and mean reduction in IOP were 24.30 ± 0.99, 18.53 ± 1.22 and 5.77 (23.74%) for peak measurements, and 24.50 ± 1.08, 18.80 ± 1.22 and 5.70 (23.27%) for trough measurements. In group II the mean pre-treatment IOP, mean post-treatment IOP and mean reduction in IOP were 24.33 ± 0.96, 19.43 ± 1.14 and 4.90 (20.14%) for peak measurements, and 24.57 ± 0.97, 19.73 ± 1.11 and 4.84 (19.69%) for trough measurements. Conclusions: In conclusion, there was a statistically significant difference between the IOP lowering in the two groups with timolol maleate producing more reduction in IOP than brinzolamide. Key-words: Brinzolamide; Glaucoma; lOP; Ocular hypertension; POAG; Timolol.