Double masked randomized clinical trial comparing Latanoprost with Timolol in open angle glaucoma

ABSTRACT

To Compare the efficacy and safety of latanoprost once a day with timolol administered twice a day in patients with open angle glaucoma. In this six month double masked randomized clinical trial, 80 patients with primary open angle glaucoma were divided randomly for treatment to either 0.005% latanoprost once a day [n = 40] or 0.5% timolol twice a day [n = 40]. Intraocular pressure was measured, and efficacy was based on intraocular pressure reduction from baseline. Through the day the mean IOP was significantly lower with latanoprost than with timolol. Diurnal IOP [1000 AM, 400 PM, 800PM] was reduced from 26.2 to 16.9 mmHg with latanoprost and from 25.8 to 17.4 mmHg with timolol at the end of the 6-month treatment period. Mean IOP reduction ranged from 7.8 to 8.2 mmHg in 35.2% of the latanoprost group and from 6.3 to 6.8 mmHg in 33.9% of the timolol group. Significantly higher percentage of patients had low IOP levels with latanoprost than timolol [P < 0.001]. The decrease from baseline lOP was up to 8.2 mmHg in latanoprost group compared to 6.2 mmHg in timolol group. Latanoprost caused more conjunctival hyperemia than timolol. Timolol caused more systemic side effects than latanoprost. There were greater mean and peak TOP reductions achieved with 0.005% latanoprost QD compared with 0.5% timolol. BID. Latanoprost must be considered a new first-line drug for glaucoma