Comparative study of brimonidine and timolol in treatment of glaucoma

Background: As population is affected with primary open angle Glaucoma is large. It is important to evaluate drugs which effectively control the intraocular pressure. These drugs must be financially cheaper, easily available and control the intraocular pressure effectively. Therefore we have planned in our study to know the effects of Brimonidine (alpha selective adrenergic agent) and Timolol (sympatholytic agent) on Glaucoma. Objective: To compare brimonidine and timolol in treatment of glaucoma Methods: A total of 100 patients of glaucoma were studied. They were divided into two groups. One group consisting of 50 patients received Timolol and the other group with same number received Brimonidine. They were followed for 6 months. Initially they were examined at 1st week, 2nd week and then every month till six month. The results were compared. Results: We found that timolol eye drops effectively reduced intra ocular pressure (IOP) when compared to brimonidine eye drops. The mean average IOP between these two drugs was found to be 1.9 actually. Brimonidine eye drops in initial phases of the study showed more variation in reducing IOP when compared to timolol eye drops. Conclusion: Timolol eye drops effectively reduced IOP in primary open angle glaucoma than Brimonidine when instilled twice daily.