Ocular Hypotensive Effect of Levobunolol Hydrochloride

ABSTRACT

To estimate the clinical efficacy of a newly developed beta1 and beta2 - adrenoreceptor antagonist, levobunolol hydrochloride (Betagan), fifty six patients (96 eyes) with various types of glaucoma were enrolled in this study and were treated twice a day with 0.5% Betagan. Intraocular pressure (lOP), visual acuity, pupil size and cup/disc ratio were measured before and after Betagan treatment, at week 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12. The patients were also examined to check the subjective or objective local adverse reactions. All the patients showed significant reduction of lOP throughout the observation period without significant change of visual acuity, pupil size and cup/disc ratio. Additive hypotensive effect of Betagan was also noted when it was added to pilocarpine. In some patients, however, stinging sensation with tearing, photophobia, or foreign body sensation and punctate corneal erosion were noted after Betagan treatment; those were mild and transient.