Signs and symptoms of ocular surface status in glaucoma patients switched from timolol 0.5% to brinzolamide 1%/timolol 0.5% fixed combination: a 6-month efficacy and tolerability, multicenter, open-label prospective study

Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2011 Apr;12(5):685-90. doi: 10.1517/14656566.2011.557361. Epub 2011 Mar 9.

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the impact of switching glaucoma patients from timolol 0.5% to brinzolamide 1%/timolol 0.5% fixed combination (Brinz/Tim FC) on quality of life and on ocular surface status; to assess efficacy after the switch.

Methods: 6-month, multicenter, open-label, prospective, switch study in 119 early to moderate glaucoma patients. Intraocular pressure (IOP), tear film break-up time (TF-BUT), fluorescein staining and Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS) questionnaire were recorded at baseline and after 6 months.

Results: Median (interquartile range) IOP significantly decreased from 20 to 16 mmHg, independent of sex and age. Most patients (95.8%) reached an IOP < 18 mmHg. TF-BUT improved, with a negative weak correlation to age at baseline and at 6 months. The percentage of patients with no fluorescein staining improved. The quality of life recorded by GSS also improved, being related both to age and corneal staining.

Conclusion: Brinz/Tim FC is effective and well tolerated. In this study, patients switched to Brinz/Tim FC obtained further reduction in IOP with no effects on ocular surface status and improved quality of life perception: a better quality of life could determine a better adherence to prescribed therapy.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Aged
  • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Epithelium, Corneal / pathology*
  • Female
  • Glaucoma / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sulfonamides / administration & dosage
  • Sulfonamides / adverse effects
  • Sulfonamides / therapeutic use*
  • Thiazines / administration & dosage
  • Thiazines / adverse effects
  • Thiazines / therapeutic use*
  • Timolol / administration & dosage
  • Timolol / adverse effects
  • Timolol / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
  • Drug Combinations
  • Sulfonamides
  • Thiazines
  • Timolol
  • brinzolamide