Abstract
Purpose: :
Aim of the study was to elucidate the add on effect of a fixed combination of dorzolamide/timolol (FC d/t) to a prostaglandin monotherapy on visual function and on ocular circulation in glaucoma patients.
Methods: :
Because target pressure was not achieved by prostaglandin monotherapy and/or because of visual field progression a fixed combination of dorzolamide/timolol was added in 52 glaucoma patients. One eye of each patient was randomly selected for evaluation and followed up yearly for 5 years. Follow up parameters were: visual field (MD; PSD), IOP, ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) and blood pressure. OPAs were measured by pneumotonometry. For statistical evaluation a multivariate regression analysis was applied.
Results: :
IOP showed at all time points (14,6 mmHg; 14,5 mmHg; 14,9 mmHg; 14,3 mmHg; 14,8 mmHg) a significant decrease (p<o.oo1) compared to baseline (16,91 mmHg). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not change significantly at any time point, nor did the visual field parameters MD and PSD change during follow up. Ocular pulse amplitudes increased significantly (p< 0.05) from 0.98 mm to 1,48 mm; 1,35 mm; 1,48 mm; 1,42 mm; 1,32 mm.
Conclusions: :
A significant further reduction of IOP and a significant increase in choroidal circulation after adding a fixed combination of dorzolamide/timolol to a prostaglandin monotherapy leads to stable visual function for 5 years.
Keywords: blood supply • visual fields • intraocular pressure