Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To evaluate the compliance to and efficacy of Nyolol Gel 0.1% q.d, in early glaucoma or ocular hypertenson patients with low compliance previously treated with Xalatan 0.005%. Methods: Thirty patients (54 eyes) with low compliance were enrolled. Eighteen (34 eyes) were early manifest glaucoma and 12 (20 eyes) were ocular hypertension patients. Patients were instructed to continue monotherapy replacing the Xalatan 0.005% at bedtime with Nyolol (Timolol) Gel 0.1% in the morning. Follow-up examinations were scheduled at 1,4, 8 and 12 month. Full ocular exam including IOP measurement and a simple verbal use-comfort questionnaire, were performed. Results: Four patients did not continue the study after enrollment visit for unknown reasons, 26 were seen for their first visit after 3 to 7 weeks and for their second visit after 2-5 month. These patients reported an increase in eye comfort immediately after administration, and an immeasurable discomfort if more than one gel drop was applied. No systemic symptoms associated with the use of conventional topical beta-blockers 0.5% b.i.d were noted. The untreated IOP (22.51 ± 4.87 mmHg) decreased by a mean of 30% during Xalatan treatment (to 16.15 ± 2.9 mmHg) and only by 25% when switched to Nyolol Gel 0.1% (16.5± 4.5 mmHg). The difference was clinically and statistically insignificant (less than 0.5 mmHg between the groups and p=0.53 respectively). Conclusions: A non significant statistical and clinical difference of IOP reduction, and a similar patient comfort profile was recorded when Nyolol gel 0.1% q.d was compared with Xalatan 0.005% q.d in early manifest glaucoma or ocular hypertension patients with low compliance. This may justify considering the use of Nyolol gel 0.1%, a more economic compound with negligible beta blocking side effects, as the first line of antiglaucoma drug in this patient population.
Keywords: drug toxicity/drug effects • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: tre