A Prospective Comparison of Patient Preference With Two Topical Timolol Preparations

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the compliance patterns andpatient preferences between two commonly administered once–a–daytopical preparations of timololMethods: 20 glaucoma patients were prospectively randomizedto administer timolol hemihydrate 0.5% solution (Betimol, SantenInc) in one eye and timolol maleate GFS 0.5% in the fellow eyeonce per day. Patients completed a questionnaire describingside effects and preferences at 30 minutes after the first administereddrop and at the conclusion of the 1 week study.Results: Table 1 Overall Patient Preference: % preferring each medication 

Table 2 Comfort Preference: % preferring each medication 

Table 3 Vision Preference: % preferring each medication 

Longer visual distortion was associated with the maleate GFSsolution by 10.0 +/– 4.9 min. 14 patients (70%) were willingto pay more to receive the hemihydrate solution.Conclusions: The timolol hemihydrate solution was associatedwith fewer symptoms of ocular discomfort and visual distortionthan the comparable maleate GFS solution. There was no adaptationto these symptoms after 1 week of treatment. This preferencehas the potential to impact patient compliance with glaucomatherapy and warrants further study.

Keywords: quality of life • pharmacology • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications