WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Sinan Mohammed Tawfeeq*, Ahmed Essa Hasan and Ahmed Mumtaz Raoof

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction safety and efficacy between the ophthalmic solutions 0.5% timolol and 0.5% betaxolol in Iraqis patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). Methods: In this non masked randomized study, we prospectively enrolled 40 Iraqis with NTG patients who had used timolol monotherapy for more than 4 weeks, and randomly divided them into the following two groups: 1) timolol-to-betoxolol group and 2) betoxolol-to-timolol group. At the beginning of the study, both groups were switched from initial timolol to timolol or betaxolol for 12 weeks, and then switched over to the other drug (crossover) for 12 additional weeks. At 0, 4, 12, 16, and 24 weeks, we evaluated each patient’s IOP, conjunctival injection, and punctate keratitis at 0, 12, and 24 weeks. Results: The mean IOP of the timolol group (20 eyes) was 10.5, 10.6, and 11.1 mmHg, at 0, 12, and 24 weeks, respectively, whereas that of the betaxolol group (20 eyes) was 11.7, 11.1, and 10.5 mmHg at 0, 12, and 24 weeks, respectively. No significant differences were found between the two groups and in the intragroup comparisons. Moreover, no significant differences were found between timolol and betaxolol in regard to the conjunctival injection score. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that timolol and betaxolol have equivalent efficacy and safety in Iraqies patients with NTG.