Abstract
Purpose:
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the fixed combination therapy of brimonidine 0.2%-timolol 0.5% (FCBT) versus monotherapy of brimonidine 0.15% (MB) among Koreans.
Methods:
A retrospective, observational, clinical study. A total of 266 first time patients began FCBT (n=147) and MB (n=119) therapy were included in this study. Patients who had previously taken anti-glaucoma medication and/or received follow-up checkups less than 6 months prior to the study were excluded from the analysis. For both treatment groups, the visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), status of the cornea and conjunctiva, and subjective complaints were compared. The data of red-free photography, standard automated perimetry, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were also evaluated.
Results:
Mean IOP reduction seemed greater in the FCBT group (1.31±2.83 mmHg) compared to the MB group (0.78±2.82mmHg), but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.155). Adverse events were more frequent in the FCBT group (65.5%) than the MB group (42.2%) (p<0.001). In both groups, the follicular hypertrophy was the most frequent side effect (FCBT; 26.9%, MB; 17.7%, p=0.038).
Conclusions:
Ocular allergic reactions occurred more frequently in the FCBT group compared to the MB group. This difference could be attributed to the difference in concentration of brimonidine in the eye drops.