A Comparision of Short Term use Effects and Satety of Timoptic(R) with those of Cosopt(R) in Normal Korean

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study is to compare the clinical effects and safety of 0.5% timolol maleate and 2% dorzolamide hydrochloride combinationis (Cosopt(R)) with those of 0.5% timolol maleate (Timoptic(R)) in normal Korean. METHODS: We instilled Timoptic(R) eye drops two time a day into one eye and Cosopt(R) eyedrops two times a day into the other eye for thirty days and measured the intraocular pressure (IOP) and side effects in normal Korean volunteers. RESULTS: Cosopt(R) was superior to Timoptic(R) in reducing IOP, but had more frequent side effects such as burning, blurred vision, tearing, ocular pain, injection than those of Timoptic(R). However side effects of Cosopt(R) were tolerable enough to refrain from discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the greater IOP lowering efficacy of CosoptR compared to that of Timoptic(R), it can be used as an effective substitute in case of uncontrolled IOP with beta blockers alone.