Hasan Yaqoob, Mohammad Idris, Asif Iqbal, Sadia Ayaz, Bilqees.
Efficacy of Brimonidine plus Timolol in the Treatment of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.
Ophthalmol Update Jan ;12(4):273-7.

Glaucoma is the one of the leading cause of blindness globally as well as in most regions according to the WHO survey 2002. It accounts for 12.3% of global blindness (Vision <20/200 in better eye). In Pakistan primary open angle glaucoma is the most common type followed by primary angle closure, aphakic, secondary and congenital glaucoma. The causes of secondary glaucoma are mainly four folds i.e., neovascular, uveitis, lens induced and traumatic. Commonly used medical treatments for glaucoma are topical or oral agents that decrease aqueous humor production or augment outflow. Fixed combinations of IOP-lowering medications have been developed by combining different pharmacologic classes of ocular hypotensive drugs commonly pre-scribed for the treatment of elevated IOP. Modern fixed combinations pair beta-blocker with either prostaglandin analogs or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Objective: To determine the efficacy of brimonidine plus timolol in the treatment of primary open angle glaucoma. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of ophthalmology, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from November 1, 2013-Jun 30, 2014. Through a randomized controlled trial study design, a total of 153 patients presenting with primary open angle glaucoma were randomly allocated, patients were subjected to fixed combination of Brimonidine plus Timolol (BT). All patients were followed up after 4 weeks of and results were recorded. Results/ Treatment: The mean age of the patients was 52.3 + 7.8 years. The mean baseline IOP was 28.39 + 1.7 which was reduced by 18.5 + 4.2. The efficacy (25% reduction from baseline IOP) was observed in 66.7% of patients. Conclusion: Fixed combination of BT is an effective combination in the treatment of primary open angle glaucoma.

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